Here are some of the common issues that individuals experience with home health care agencies. By understanding and addressing these issues head-on, you can keep your senior safe. Let’s get started.

#1 Lack of Training

Many home health care providers often struggle with providing sufficient training for their seniors. Yes, specific skills do require certifications and nursing degrees, but some skills, like cooking or cleaning ability, are often overlooked. Not everyone is an excellent cook or keeps the cleanest home, and that is also true of home health caregivers.

When hiring a home health care agency, be very specific about the kinds of skills you and your loved one require. For instance, if your senior is a picky eater and refuses to eat anything but a gourmet meal, you should choose a health care professional with culinary skills. On the same token, if your senior is an extrovert who loves to communicate, then it’s essential that you find someone with a gift of gab who enjoys an open dialogue.  After all, you are the client, and you’re hiring a service company, so make a list of exactly the kinds of personality traits and skills you require. Also, be clear about any activities you’d like your caregiver to engage in with your senior.

#2 Communications

Lack of communication or miscommunication between you and the home health care agency is a widespread problem. It is extremely critical for you, the senior, and the caregiver to have excellent communication. This open dialogue ensures that everyone is on the same page and that all tasks are handled proficiently. With this in mind, always have a good line of communication with the home health care agency and address any issues immediately. This ensures that you stay on top of everything, particularly with multiple caregivers. For example, always inform your caregiver or any medications, doctor’s appointments, stressors, personality quirks, etc.

#3 Bad Behavior

Whether a caregiver’s behavior is deemed good or bad is mostly relative — in other words, bad behavior is in the eye of the beholder. However, most clients agree on several practices that are bothersome—not providing adequate care, being late, and spending too much time on their phones or social media.

Although you may develop a close relationship with the caregiver, and even consider that person a friend, it is essential to set boundaries. You and your loved ones are hiring the caregiver to do a service, and your caregiver or agency needs feedback on any likes and dislikes — regardless of whether it is positive or negative. For instance, one common complaint involves caregivers who spend a significant amount of time on their smartphones, answering texts, using social media, or surfing the internet. This can be a massive distraction for the caregiver and can even lead to mistakes in medication or other carelessness with the senior. Certainly, caregivers can use their phones at work, but it shouldn’t be excessive. Be upfront about your expectations and voice any concerns that you may have. Ensure that your loved one is adequately taken care of at all times.

In conclusion, choosing a home health care provider can take a bit of effort but, it is a critical task. By selecting a caregiver with adequate training and skills, keeping the lines of communication open, being mindful of lousy behavior, and discussing your likes and dislikes, many of the most common issues that people experience can be resolved quickly.

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Hire a Reputable Agency

Although you may be tempted to hire the least expensive agency, you should never hire an agency based on price alone. Instead of hiring an inexpensive service, take the time to explore different payment options and to hire a reputable agency that can work with your budgetary constraints. If full-time care is not an option, perhaps you can hire someone part-time or on an on-call basis. Ask for recommendations from reputable home health care agencies, like the Nurses Guild, who offer professional and loving services to seniors. Once you have a shortlist, interview prospects carefully and review their reviews online.

Perform Background Checks
Ask if the agency conducts background checks. If they don’t, feel free to conduct your own background check on any aide or nurse who will be coming to your home. If the home health agency does in fact perform background checks, ask to see the results if you have any question about the reputation or reliability of their system. A background check can let you know about serious issues that the aide was involved in, such as abuse.  Also, research the agency itself. For example, see if the agency is registered with the Better Business Bureau and what its score is on that site.

Establish Rules
It should be a given that the aide knows that abuse of the person or destruction of the house is entirely unacceptable. Create a check and balance system where specific rules are stated. Be clear about your expectations as to how the caregiver should act in your home. For example, if you prefer that your home health care aide only makes emergency phone calls, state this in your initial meeting.

Install Security Cameras
When you want to know what is going on in your home when you aren’t there, setting up security cameras is a smart idea. You can watch the footage to ensure that no problems are occurring. You can’t always rely on your senior to relay this information to you, especially if they’re disabled or have mental concerns, like dementia. Additionally, some elderly individuals may be scared to let you know if any abuse is occurring.

In conclusion, home health care can provide an excellent source of assistance for your loved ones. However, you must make sure that you are keeping your relatives safe. By following the above tips, you can keep your senior and their home safe.

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Depression affects people of all ages, and seniors are no exception. In fact, seniors may be particularly susceptible to depression due to feelings of isolation and losing loved ones.

Many things can cause depression, and one of the top items on that list is dealing with health issues, especially serious ones, according to www.AgingCare.com. Seniors are often fighting cancer, heart disease, stroke, dementia, Parkinson’s Disease, and more.

Adding to the complexity of helping seniors with depression, is that the symptoms of depression may be not be as clear for the senior community as they are with members of younger generations. This is because many of the common-known causes of depression are also stereotypical common traits of seniors, such as grumpiness, being tired, having memory issues, or being confused. But the truth is that depression is not a normal part of the aging process. However, the National Institute of Mental Health states that depression in people over the age of 65 has become a major public health issue.  Luckily, just like people in other age groups, depression among the elderly can be treated with therapy and medication.

When caring for seniors, there are particular signs of depression you can be on the lookout for. These include: feelings of hopelessness or severe negativity, decreased energy/fatigue, suicide thoughts or attempts, changes in appetite, feelings of sadness, changes in sleeping patterns, and loss of interest in activities or hobbies.

If you notice these symptoms in a senior in your care, there are things you can do to help. Initiate a conversation and listen to them speak. Encourage them to seek help. Reassure them that there is help available.

The professional staff at The Nurses Guild has extensive experience in these situations.  Please don’t hesitate to reach out and ask us how we can help you and your senior.

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The most important thing to remember when planning Fourth of July activities for seniors is to find activities with no or limited standing and minimal exposure to the sun.

Here are some ideas for activities seniors can enjoy when celebrating the Fourth of July:

• Crafting activities with a Fourth of July theme, such as American flags made out of felt or paper.
• Watching a movie with a patriotic theme, such as “Pearl Harbor,” “Born on the Fourth of July,” “Independence Day,” “Captain America,” “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington,” or “Top Gun.”
• Viewing firework shows on television. Many major networks air Fourth of July fireworks shows live.
• Meals or picnics with traditional Fourth of July foods, such as hamburgers and hot dogs, potato salad, baked beans, coleslaw and apple pie.
• Karaoke party with patriotic songs, such as “Yankee Doodle,” “God Bless America,” “Born in the U.S.A.,” “This Land is Your Land,” and “America The Beautiful.”
• Play patriotic games. You can turn almost any game into one with a Fourth of July theme. How about American Geography Trivia, Patriotic Bingo or Name That American Landmark?

It’s important for everyone to find a way that works for them to celebrate the holidays they value.

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Some of the Alarming New Medical Conditions among Assisted Living Residents Include…

About 40% of new Assisted Living residents suffer from short-term memory issues. They become disoriented and confused about where they are and why they are there. A report published by the US National Library of Medicine states that memory problems are mainly caused by a sudden loss of independence and multiple new persons in their daily lives. Residents can’t remember names of staff, doctors, appointments, daily activities, and schedules. They become scared and frustrated although family members and staff may attribute this memory loss to aging.

Approximately 42% of Assisted Living residents develop some form of dementia or Alzheimer’s disease mainly because of the lack of person-centered care. The staff at these types of facilities tend to be overworked and tired. If there are too many residents to take care of, often the best the staff can do is the minimal personal care. Also, because the facility is often understaffed, there is lack of comprehensive assessment and medical care strategies.

In a separate report by the Journal of the American Geriatric Society, Assisted Living residents suffer from sleep problems and depression. The report states that 28% are fighting depression because of lack of in-depth mental care and lack of physical activities. In fact, many residents are left in their rooms “to rest” which can mean they oversleep and can’t complete a full night’s sleep.

Incontinence is another major problem in these facilities. Two main reasons for the incontinence is the inability to go to the bathroom on their own and lack of products to prevent incontinence. According to the CDC, 70% of residents in 30 assisted living facilities suffer from urinary incontinence at least for a week.

Comparing assisted living facilities to home care with an RN, you have a higher chance of catching any medical conditions immediately because of the one-on-one personal care and attention. Fortunately, it does not have to be expensive since you can request a once-a-week RN visit or even three times a week – whatever your budget allows. It is still far better than minimal attention.

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In fact, according to Everyday Health, arthritis is most likely the #1 condition people who are 65 and older suffer from. The Center for Disease Control notes that almost 50 percent of seniors suffer from arthritis so severely that is lowers their quality of life. Arthritis can affect the joints in most parts of the body, including the hands, feet, hips, and especially knees.

The types of arthritis seniors are most plagued with include: osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or gout. If you notice your patients have lasting joint pain, joint swelling, joint stiffness, tenderness or pain when touching a joint, problems using or moving a joint normally, or warmth and redness in a joint, it is likely arthritis is the culprit.

So how can you help ease the symptoms of seniors suffering from arthritis?

1. Make sure the patient is getting sufficient rest.
2. Light exercise or stretching can help lessen symptoms of arthritis. The best exercises for seniors with arthritis, according to A Place for Mom, Inc., include: range-of-motion exercises, aerobic exercises, endurance exercises, and strengthening exercises. As a caregiver, it is important to remember that the less time a person with arthritis is moving, the more severe their symptoms will become.
3. Eating a health, well-balanced diet is also key to help keep symptoms in check.
4. If they need help walking due to their arthritis flare-ups, be sure they have a cane and/or proper walking shoes. According to com, the best footwear for seniors suffering from arthritis are shoes that are softly cushioned, offer adequate support, have a wider toe box, and can be adjusted when needed.
5. Weight control can also help lessen arthritis symptoms. Excess weight puts more pressure on joints, which in turn causes more pain.
6. Try applying heat or cold to the patient’s joints, but make sure to test which works best for your senior. Remember that while cold may work better for one patient, heat may work better for another. A heating pad is suggested for the patient before they even get out of bed in the morning, as most seniors who suffer from arthritis experience morning stiffness, usually eased by heat. Cold therapy is best for those with inflamed joints, as cold is a natural anti-inflammatory.
7. Relaxation and/or meditation techniques may also prove helpful.

If you notice symptoms getting worse, or if your patient has a fever, or joint swelling, make sure they are seen by a doctor.

The professional staff at Nurses Guild has years of experience when it comes to helping our patients manage their arthritis.  If you feel you need help, please don’t hesitate to give us a call and see how we can help you and your senior.

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• They prefer to live near family, and in familiar surroundings.
• They don’t want to lose their independence.

For families and individuals with medical conditions planning for their retirement years at home there are two choices: hire a caregiver or hire an RN to come in to check up on them.

A nurse is probably the smarter choice because they are duty-bound by the Nurse Practice Act.

The Nurse Practice Act

This act is a law enacted by every state designed to protect public health and safety from poor nursing skills and practices. It falls under the Health and Safety Code and states that no person can perform a nursing function other than an RN or allow unlicensed individuals from doing the same even under the direct supervision of an RN. Nursing functions require extensive education, training, and technical skills not to mention the need to pass the nursing board exam.

Some of the nursing functions include:

• Performance of intravenous and venipuncture therapy or taking of blood samples or injecting other fluids through the veins
• Administration of medicine
• Tube Feedings
• Intramuscular, intravenous or subcutaneous injections
• Invasive procedures like inserting catheters, suction, or tubes
• Patient assessment
• Talking and educating relatives about patient’s condition
• Moderate lab tests

Nurses are also more familiar with medicines, their use, and administration compared to caregivers whose primary task is to provide care and comfort. In other words, caregivers can be assigned to bathe, feed, and maintain proper hygiene aside from making sure the patients takes all his medicine on time. Caregivers can also get vital signs and keep a daily record of the family and doctor.

Under the Nurse Practice Act, the risk of harm and danger for the patient is reduced because she is trained to work with almost all kinds of medical situations, especially emergencies. Since the Nurse Practice Act is a law, there are similar penalties and fines for any nurse that goes against the act.

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According to the National Institute on Aging (NIA) and the U.S. Census Bureau, the population of American seniors is expected to increase two-fold over the next 25 years which means that the effects of elder abuse will continue to arise as well. If you’re concerned about elder abuse in an institutional setting, you might consider a home health care situation for your senior. However, you may have some reservations about the process. Have no fear! We’ve put together a list of some of the main reasons home health care may work better for your loved one than traditional nursing homes. They are as follows:

• Seniors enjoy staying within proximity of their homes, their family’s homes as well as their family members. The presence of familiar surroundings and a familiar caregiver help them feel grounded and safe. In fact, it is a fact that senior citizens feel more comfortable in their own homes. As Dr. Geeta Nayyar, M.D. mentions in her regular column with Forbes, elders become vulnerable when plucked out of their familiar surroundings. Also, they tend to relate to the home as their haven because of the familiarity they have with everything around them. They know where the kitchen is, they know how many steps to take for a bathroom trip, etc.
• Knowing that your senior is safe at home with a skilled professional at their preferred locations enables you to work without guilt. You can take care of yourself and your own needs. By having a competent professional at home, you’ll be guaranteed that your senior will be adequately taken care of.
• Home health care costs are reasonable. Comparing the daily rates of private and non-private nursing care facilities and home care in Florida, we can easily see that home care on a daily basis is way more affordable. As the National Institute on Aging (NIA) justly indicates, the home care costs for 24 hours of health care are typically $112-192/day, as compared to the nursing home cost of $181/day and $229/day, respectively.
• An experienced caregiver can take care of your seniors’ mental and physical needs in a home care setting as well as or better than they can in an institution. They can feed, bathe and offer them companionship that will enhance the quality of their lives and give you peace of mind. Since they are only caring for 1-2 seniors (individual or a couple), the professional will not be likely to feel stress or overwhelmed. Also, vetted professionals are less likely to abuse your senior.
• An experienced and trained medical professional can help you spot potential health issues that you might miss. Problems such as memory disorders, Alzheimer’s, aging disabilities and dementia show early signs. There is a thin line of difference between normalcy and those signs, which only experienced home care professionals will be able to identify.

Caregivers for the senior citizens are a must and reduce your responsibilities a great deal. Furthermore, with a caregiver around, you can assign your responsibilities to him and spend quality time with the elderly instead. Apart from being surrounded by their loved ones and family, both the family and the elderly do need the attention of special caregivers. The Nurses Guild is one such specialized home health institution. We pride ourselves in providing exceptional home health care throughout Broward and Palm Beach Counties. We offer Medicare-certified services to support families and hold the elderlies’ hands to walk them through several health difficulties.

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The reasons they give for enjoying gambling include:

• It’s fun and a break from the routine

• They’re lonely and would like to be around friendly people. Many casinos offer free transportation and board, meals, free drinks, entertainment, and a VIP reception. It must also be noted that it is against the law to provide free senior shuttle service to casinos from nursing homes and senior civic centers.

• They turn to gambling to forget their grief, loneliness, depression, or the idea of mortality

Seniors who live alone are more at risk because they have little to no socialization. It would help if someone came in regularly to check on the senior like a professional nurse. This professional can detect poor nutrition, lack of sleep, erratic schedule, and behavior. A trained nurse can also observe the house’s surroundings for unusual activities like gambling tickets, chips, or hotel receipts and refer to the family any concerns.

Seniors are not only tempted by the lure of bright lights and casinos but also to other forms of gambling like bingo, lottery, and online gambling. Bingo is a social event more than it is a gambling activity for seniors, which lends a sense of propriety and acceptance. The more serious issue with bingo is the online version because many websites do not adhere to regulations like the minimum age and rigged games. If you want your senior to play online bingo, verify the site first.

The lottery is also a legal form of gambling, unless your senior opts to play with a non-US website, that according to the FBI, have scammed hundreds of seniors out of their retirement fund and other assets. In 2017, the FBI extradited several Jamaicans who cheated 90 senior Americans out of $5.7 million! As a matter of fact, according to government agents, around two-thirds of the victims are more than 70 years old.
Family and a professional nurse can work together to help prevent a gambling problem before it starts, although it’s not always easy because seniors tend to be stubborn when it comes to their finances. However, one of the key suggestions is to offer an alternative activity to replace the gambling behavior by focusing on the reason they want to start or started gambling. It could be more family activities, friendly chats to address the loneliness, and outdoor activities to keep the senior from getting bored and keep them solialized.

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The first news is that researchers from UCLA found that sitting for most of the day can affect the brain’s medial temporal lobe. When a senior sits for most of the day, this lobe starts to thin and affects the brain’s ability to make new memories. Also, too much time in a chair or bed increases the risk for diabetes and heart disease, while moving around decreases the chances of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. Of course, this is an initial study, and further research should be done to verify the findings.

According to senior author, David Merrill, physical activity improves the brain’s blood flow and stimulates new nerve cells while preventing the decline of brain function and brain structure.  Merrill adds that the medial temporal lobe, especially the hippocampus area, will naturally decline with age which is why seniors tend to have memory issues.

The second news is that brain cells continue to grow after age 70, however, the amount of stress and intake of antidepressants among seniors can severely affect the growth of new brain cells. This fact was evaluated during a study by the Columbia University under lead author, Dr. Maura Boldrini. She states that older individuals have the same ability to grow new brain cells as the younger generation, even those in their 80s. However, seniors have fewer blood vessels and supply of a type of cell known as progenitor cells. This would explain why seniors experience numerous issues with their cognitive and memory functions. With fewer or damaged brain cells, the following can happen:

• Slow to react
• Memory loss and a problem with spatial relationships
• Alzheimer’s disease
• Difficulty following directions
• Epilepsy
• Depression
• Stress

Seniors, especially those living without supervision should have regular visits from a professional nurse. Home care RNs can help the senior with exercise and appropriate physical activities as well as reduce stress levels and depression.

Home care is best when a trained professional is in charge. This person has the knowledge, experience, and education to detect medical problems early on rather than waiting until the situation has gotten worse. A nurse is also able to keep medical records which should be very helpful when going to doctor visits.

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