Alzheimer's Awareness: Early Symptoms Other Than Memory Loss

The following is courtesy of Home Helpers of Lake Norman & Central NC. Visit our website at www.homehelpers.cc/lkn58445 , or call us at 704.909.7958

  Memory loss is the symptom everybody worried about Alzheimer's disease or other forms of dementia seems to focus on.  However, there are common symptoms that can begin before memory loss sets in.  Let's look at five:

 1. Personality Change - a loved one may seem to morph into a bit of a grouch, at first occasionally, and then increasingly, or they may begin cursing regularly.  This change commonly predates memory loss.

 2. Executive Functions - difficulty carrying out basic, familiar tasks. 

 3. Vision Problems - depth perception or visual-spatial coordination issues.  The person may have trouble driving or even walking well.

 4. Communication - Word retrieval and getting out the right words.  This may be more apparent to friends and non-family members as they notice a change between visits.

 5. Social Withdrawal - The person is often well aware that something is amiss, even if he or she isn't exactly sure why.  Often the person isn't even aware that they seem to be losing interest in friends and family, because they concentrate so hard on just getting through the day.

  Should you notice any of these symptoms, it's important to have them checked out by a doctor.  Early detection improves the chances that advancement of the disease can be better managed.

 The following is courtesy of Home Helpers of Lake Norman & Central NC. Visit our website at www.homehelpers.cc/lkn58445 , or call us at 704.909.7958

Join us at Churchill Senior Living

“Positive Aging Series”

 The last Tuesday of each month Churchill Senior Living hosts a series of workshops and seminars covering a wide variety of topics for seniors and their families.

 This month's program is titled 

 “Aging is Not For Wimps” 

Presented by Home Helpers of Central NC

Many people go through life without giving consideration to what they will do should they have a major change in health or living status.  When it does occur, they are usually forced to make uneducated decisions.  This lively presentation will provide information that will help you make the best decision in spite of what life may have to offer.

Churchill’s Positive Aging series is open to the general public and there is no cost to attend. If you have any questions or would like to attend please contact Churchill’s Community Relations Director Stuart Madow at 704-658-1200.

This month’s program “Aging is Not for Wimps” takes place on Tuesday August 30^th with two presentations scheduled (1pm and 6pm). Each session will last about an hour.

Churchill Senior Living is located at 140 Carriage Club Drive in Mooresville (behind the Target shopping center near I-77 exit 36)

Good news about aging!

 The following is courtesy of Home Helpers of Lake Norman & Central NC. Visit our website at www.homehelpers.cc/lkn58445 , or call us at 704.909.7958

  Here's some upbeat news:  Studies indicate that wisdom and happiness increase with age.  That's refreshing, isn't it?!!  This time of life is frequently referred to as "emotional and cognitive stability".  It's something of a paradox, since an older person finds the brain wanting to "go go go" while the body wants to go "slow slow slow".  Entering one's 70s and 80s also brings an abundance of social and emotional knowledge, qualities generally defined as wisdom. 

  According to Fredda Blanchard-Fields of the Georgia Institute of Technology, seniors acquire a feel, an enhanced sense of knowing right from wrong, and therefore a way to make sound life decisions. So what’s the recipe for wisdom? Researchers note that life experience is necessary: raising a family, navigating a career and experiencing love, loss, success and failure. Happy or sad as life can be, it educates people.

 In summary, wisdom comes from life experiences, which may explain why some of the people we look to for guidance are rarely youngsters!   Knowing that one has successfully navigated a plethora of life experiences is very satisfying.  And not something you'll learn from a book.

A caregiving choice...

The following is courtesy of Home Helpers of Lake Norman & Central NC. Visit our website at www.homehelpers.cc/lkn58445 , or call us at 704.909.7958

 We frequently get calls from families that are trying to choose between hiring a caregiver directly or going through an agency.  There are advantages and disadvantages to either choice, and we always try to work with our clients to help them make an educated decision.
 Towards that end, we've summarized the information you should be aware of into a couple of brief paragraphs below...

Hiring directly: When you hire a caregiver directly, consider all the tax and liability issues. As an employer, you are responsible for filing payroll taxes, tax forms, and verifying that the employee can legally work in the United States. You will need to withhold and pay Social Security, Medicare, and unemployment taxes for aides that you hire.  If the caregiver becomes ill or unable to work for any reason, it is up to you to find a suitable fill in.  In addition, a private caregiver may not carry his or her own liability insurance or workers' compensation. If an accident occurs on the job, you could be responsible.  The benefit of hiring a caregiver directly is that you have more control over who you hire and usually costs less.

The agency route: When you hire through a home health agency, the agency is the employer, so you don't need to worry about tax and liability issues. The agency takes care of screening the employees, doing background checks, and providing insurance. In addition a licensed home care agency must provide ongoing supervision to its employees. It can help the employees deal with difficult family situations or changing needs. The agency may also be able to provide back-up if a regular caregiver is not available.  The downside of going through an agency is not having as much input into the selection of the caregiver. In addition, caregivers may change or alternate, but coverage is generally assured.

 It's important that you make decisions such as this in an informed and educated manner.  Never hesitate to ask questions and gather facts as it will help you in the long run.  As always, our office is happy to provide facts that will help you make the proper choice.  Feel free to call.