Helping someone in need

  In the 60′s, the Beatles hit the chart with a blockbuster song called “Help”.  Here’s an excerpt from the lyrics…

   And now my life has changed in oh so many ways,
   My independence seems to vanish in the haze.
   But every now and then I feel so insecure,
   I know that I just need you like I’ve never done before.

  Help me if you can, I’m feeling down
  And I do appreciate you being round.
  Help me, get my feet back on the ground,
  Won’t you please, please help me.

  Although the lyrics weren’t likely aimed at a senior or a loved one with health care needs, it’s incredible how fitting they are.  Very few people want to admit to needing assistance and giving up their independence.  In fact, most will state “I’m fine.  If I need anything, I’ll call ‘a family member’“.  Over time, the family member takes on more and more responsibility until they can go no further.  At that point, both the caregiver and the recipient are being severely disadvantaged.  Health, relationships, attitudes, etc., all tend to decline.  It can be difficult to break the cycle of an individual that depends on a family caregiver.  Typically, the caregiver feels guilty about saying no to any requests.  But, in the interest of all involved, a change should be made since continuing isn’t in anyone’s best interest.

  If the above scenario sounds familiar, for either yourself or someone you know, call us.  We can help you transition out of this cycle and Make Life Easier for everyone involved.  For us, helping out is a passion, and we enjoy what we do.  To learn more, visit our website at  www.LKNHomecare.com, or call today.  704-909-7958

Preventing Dementia

About 5.4 million Americans have Alzheimer’s disease, the most common type of dementia. And it seems that the slow slide into mental decline may begin much sooner than previously suspected, studies reporting as early as age 45.  But there’s good news, too!  Growing research suggests that you may be able to lower your risk for dementia by making simple lifestyle changes.  Here are a few suggestions:
Solve a Crossword:  Hobbies that give your brain a workout—such as reading, doing crosswords, or playing chess—help build up reserves of brain cells and connections. As you age, that activity might slow down mental decline caused by altered connections in the brain.
Play an Instrument: Making music may give your brain a lifelong boost, according to a study from the University of Kansas Medical Center. The study included 70 healthy adults age 60 and up, who were divided into groups based on their musical experience. Those who had played an instrument for at least 10 years did better on tests of mental abilities than those with no musical training.
Break a Sweat: Recently,studies have shown that any activity that raises your heart rate and makes you breathe harder may reduce the risk for dementia. Once dementia has begun, exercise may slow its progress.
Phone a Friend: Staying socially engaged helps keep your brain young. And pastimes that combine mental, physical, and social activity may be especially protective against dementia. Hanging out at a cardio class where you’re working up a sweat while memorizing a complex routine is perfect.
Order the Salmon: This one is very easy. Brain scans showed that people who ate baked or broiled—not fried—fish at least once a week had better preserved gray matter in key areas of the brain. The researchers calculated that eating fish weekly cut Alzheimer’s risk by almost five-fold.

January - Glaucoma Awareness Month

Glaucoma is called “the sneak thief of sight” since there are no symptoms. Once vision is lost, it’s permanent. As much as 40% of a person’s vision can be lost without ever noticing.
Glaucoma is the leading cause of preventable blindness, and January is Glaucoma Awareness month.  

Moreover, among African American and Latino populations, glaucoma is the leading cause of blindness. Glaucoma is 6 to 8 times more common in African Americans than Caucasians.
Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that gradually steal sight without warning. Although the most common forms primarily affect the middle-aged and the elderly, glaucoma can affect people of all ages. Vision loss is caused by damage to the optic nerve. This nerve acts like an electric cable with over a million wires. It is responsible for carrying images from the eye to the brain.

There is no cure for glaucoma at this time. However, medication or surgery can slow or prevent further vision loss. The appropriate treatment depends upon the type of glaucoma among other factors. Early detection is vital to stopping the progress of the disease.  See your doctor regularly, and always inquire about your healthcare options!

Alzheimer's & Children

The following is courtesy of Home Helpers of Lake Norman & Central NC. Visit our website at www.lknhomecare.com , or call us at 704.909.7958

We continue with our ongoing Alzheimer’s educational series this month…

 When a loved one has Alzheimer’s, it affects everyone in the family including children and grandchildren.  It’s important to talk to them about what is happening.  How much info you share depends on the child’s age and their relationship with the sufferer.  Below are some suggestions for helping children to understand what is happening:

·         Answer questions simply and honestly.  For instance, you might tell a child “Grandma has an illness that makes it hard for her to remember things”.

·         Understand that their feelings of sadness or anger are normal.

·         Provide comfort by telling them they didn’t cause the disease.  Young children may think they did something to hurt their grandparent.

·         Don’t expect a child to help with care, and don’t ask them to babysit.

·         Spend time with the child so they don’t feel all of the attention is given to the sufferer.

 Often, a young child will observe how you interact with someone, and then mimic that.  Make sure that interactions are pleasant for both the child and the sufferer and you’ll likely see the child initiate the same type of behavior.  Above all, do not force a child of any age to spend time with the Alzheimer’s patient.  Doing so could make them resent the person.

There's no place like home - Tips

The following is courtesy of Home Helpers of Lake Norman & Central NC. Visit our website at www.lknhomecare.com , or call us at 704.909.7958

"The stairs are getting hard to climb."

"Since my wife passed, I just open a can of soup for dinner."

  These are just two common statements you may hear as someone ages.  What to do?  Planning ahead is hard, you never know how your needs might change.  Perhaps you don’t need help but know someone who does.  The first step is to think about what kind of help you would want. 

  So what’s available for in-home care?  Here’s a quick breakdown:

   Personal Care – This covers hygiene assistance such as bathing, washing hair, dressing, etc.

   Homemaking – Assistance with chores like housecleaning, grocery shopping, and laundry.

   Meals – Eating out is one option, but can be expensive.  Home delivered meals are another choice.  Assistance with in-home meal preparation is generally most popular.

   Health Care – This may cover anything from assistance for someone just released from medical treatment, transport to a Doctor’s appointment, to helping manage medicines.  There are also electronic devices designed to dispense your medicines.  Check out www.abledata.com for a great listing of assistive devices.

  Where to find help?  Obviously, if you’re reading this, you’ve made a good start.  Your Doctor or friends that have had the same experience can also be invaluable, as well as local Senior Centers or Council On Aging offices.

  Once you’ve chosen your services, check out www.govbenefits.gov or http://www.benefitscheckup.org/ to find out about any local benefits that may be available.  Finally, if you are a veteran, call our office to find out how certain benefits may offset your home care costs.

  The final tip!  Don’t wait until you have to make a choice.  Do a little planning in advance.  If you have questions, call us!

5 Important Points For Estate Planning

The following is courtesy of Home Helpers of Lake Norman & Central NC. Visit our website at www.lknhomecare.com , or call us at 704.909.7958

 Many people believe that a personal will is all they need to plan their estate.  In reality, there are 5 areas that need to be addressed.  Having your affairs in order takes away the burden that would fall upon family during an already difficult time.  The 5 areas that should be addressed are:

1. Will.  A will is a legally-binding statement directing who will receive your property at your death. If you do not have a will, the state will determine how your property is distributed.

2. Trust.  A trust is a legal arrangement through which one person (or an institution, such as a bank or law firm), holds legal title to property for another person, called a "beneficiary." Trusts have one set of beneficiaries during those beneficiaries' lives and another set -- often their children -- who begin to benefit only after the first group has died. There are several different reasons for setting up a trust. The most common reason is to avoid probate. If you establish a revocable living trust that terminates when you die, any property in the trust passes immediately to the beneficiaries. This can save time and money for the beneficiaries.

3. Power of Attorney.  A power of attorney allows a person you appoint, your "attorney-in-fact", to act in your place for financial purposes when and if you ever become incapacitated. In that case, the person you choose will be able to step in and take care of your financial affairs.

4. Medical Directive.  A medical directive may encompass a number of different documents, including a health care proxy, a durable power of attorney for health care, a living will, and medical instructions. The exact document or documents will depend on your state's laws and the choices you make.

5. Beneficiary Designations.  Although not necessarily a part of your estate plan, at the same time you create an estate plan, you should make sure your retirement plan beneficiary designations are up to date. If you don't name a beneficiary, the distribution of benefits may be controlled by state or federal law or according to your particular retirement plan.