Drug Management

According to the CDC, more Boomers died of overdoses in 2013 than from car accidents, the flu, and pneumonia combined.  The Wall Street Journal reported  recently that this death statistic is expected to worsen as Boomers bring drug-using habits into old age with them to cope with everything from pain to declining functional ability.  Old habits and new challenges tend to not mix well in this situation.

As the article tells us, this group is in the midst of a perfect storm - the collision of the first generation with a predilection of mind-altering substances and record high rates of opiod painkiller abuse.

We find ourselves frequently working with families who are coping with a loved one with some sort of substance abuse, or with complex drug needs that are difficult to manage.  One solution for drug management is our electronic dispenser that provides the proper dose at the correct time.  Since it's a monitored solution, if the dosage isn't taken, the unit notifies us so that we can follow up with a phone call.  This allows us to confirm if the client is ok and they simply missed the alert, or if there's a problem that needs attention.  It's an affordable solution to an issue that can be challenging.  For more information, feel free to call our office.

Bringing useful news to educate our clients is one more way that Home Helpers has been making life easier for over a decade.  Call us today at 704-909-7958.  And as always, you can find us on our website,  Facebook and Google+!

Elder Abuse

  Every year, more than half a million American elders are abused or neglected according to Centers for Disease Control. The frequency of elder abuse may be greater as so many are afraid or simply unable to speak out about what is happening to them. In some cases, the abuse is limited to financial exploitation. In other cases, it may encompass neglect and physical cruelty.  Different varieties of elder abuse have different signals, some less obvious than others.  Here are some examples:

1- Neglect. This is commonly defined as withholding or failing to supply necessities of daily living to an elder, from food, water and appropriate clothing to necessary hygiene and medicines.
2- Abandonment. This occurs when a caregiver or responsible party simply deserts an elder – dropping them off at a nursing home, a hospital, or even a bus or train station with no plans to return. Hopefully, the elder has the presence of mind to call for help, but if not, a tragic situation will quickly worsen.
3- Physical abuse. Bruises and lacerations are evident signals, but other indicators are less evident: sprains and dislocations, cracked eyeglass lenses, impressions on the arms or legs from restraints, too much or too little medication, etc.
4- Emotional or psychological abuse. How do you know if an elder has been verbally degraded, tormented, or threatened in your absence, or left in isolation? If they aren't  willing or able to let you know about such wrongdoing, watch for signals such as withdrawal from conversation or communication, agitation or distress, and repetitive or obsessive-compulsive actions linked to dementia such as rocking, biting or sucking.
5- Financial abuse. When a relative, friend or other party uses an elder's funds, property, or assets illegally or dishonestly, this is financial exploitation. This may vary from withdrawing savings with an ATM card to forgery to improperly assuming power of attorney.

  Some people aim to exploit senior citizens. Others simply don’t recognize or respect the responsibilities that come with eldercare. Whether the abuse is intentional or not, the emotional, physical or financial harm done can be reprehensible. If you suspect abuse, but aren't sure where to turn, call us.  We'll be glad refer you to the correct resources.

Bringing useful news to educate our clients is one more way that Home Helpers has been making life easier for over a decade.  Call us today at 704-909-7958.  And as always, you can find us on our website,  Facebook and Google+!