Family Care Fair, May 3rd, Huntersville NC

Join Home Helpers at the ninth annual Family Care Fair from 10am to 2pm – a day of free fun for the

entire family.  Located at Novant Health Huntersville (formerly Visit Home Helpers at Novant Health Family Care FairPresbyterian Hospital) on Gilead Rd. It’s just one more way we’re with you on every step of your health care journey. Stop by our booth and say HI!  We hope to see you there.

Activities include:
- Free health screenings
- Exercise demonstrations
- Health and safety information
- Moon bounce
- Healthy refreshments
- Giveaways (first come, first served–so join us early)

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+!

Testing For Early-Onset Alzheimer’s Disease

A form of dementia, early-onset Alzheimer’s disease typically affects people in their 50s, though it is seen in persons as young as their 30s. Unlike Alzheimer’s that affects those over age 65,

early-onset AD has been linked to inherited genetics, and frequently runs in families.  Recent studies on this disease have shown promise in helping detect it's condition and finding new treatments. The following are 5 recent breakthroughs:

1. Blood Test Detects Early-Onset Alzheimer’s - Researchers at Georgetown University and the University of Rochester have developed a blood test that indicates risks for Alzheimer’s. The test examines the amounts of certain fats in the bloodstream. Based on clinical trials, the test shows with ~90% accuracy of the likelihood of developing Alzheimer’s within the next three years. It should be cautioned that this test requires further work before it can be applied outside of clinical trials.

2. Eye Test Could Diagnose Alzheimer’s Years Before Symptoms Occur - Sapphire II, an eye exam technology, could diagnose Alzheimer’s in a matter of minutes. Developed by Cognoptix, Sapphire II is a laser-based reading device and consumable ophthalmic ointment.  Cognoptix is seeking FDA approval to use the test to help physicians diagnose suspected cases of Alzheimer’s.

3. SAGE, A Self-Test for Alzheimer’s - A 12-question test, the Self-Administered Gerocognitive Examination (SAGE) may help spot cognitive decline in as little as 15 minutes. Ohio State University developed the test and administered it to over 1,000 research participants. Results showed that 28% of test takers demonstrated symptoms of cognitive decline, which correlated to more detailed cognitive testing. Ideally, a person whose score signaled potential cognitive decline would go their doctor sooner for a diagnosis. The test should be viewed as a baseline for cognitive function and is not a substitute for a medical exam, but is a usefull diagnosis tool.

4. An App for Detecting Alzheimer’s - In this day of "An App For Everything", there is Neuroracer.  Developed by Alkili Interactive Labs, it may help detect early signs of Alzheimer’s. Alkili conducted a study with Neuroracer that showed it improved brain activity and multitasking skills for older players. The hope is that the app could become a benchmark for other testing and pave the way for more mobile video games that could serve as medical tools.

5. Peanut Butter Exam May Diagnose Alzheimer’s - Looking to link sense of smell to cognitive decline, researchers from the University of Florida have discovered that patients diagnosed with early stage Alzheimer's diagnosis will struggle to smell a spoonful of peanut butter. Because sense of smell often fails early on for Alzheimer’s patients, researchers believe this tests fo this nature could become a valuable tool in early detection.

Experts warn that simple tests for diagnosing such a complex disease are not always accurate.  The ongoing research that produces these is encouraging though. As with any health question, always consult with your physician with any health concerns.

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+!

The time to Downsize...

Downsizing is an inevitable part of moving to a new residence: taking old clothes to Goodwill, throwing away that leaf blower that hasn’t worked in five years, and getting rid of all the things you’ve accumulated that your family no longer needs. But, downsizing can be particularly wrenching for the elderly, who may find it overwhelming to think about letting go of the items they’ve gathered over a lifetime. If a loved one is faced with a move to assisted living, where they may have less storage space, that clutter in the closet may turn into a stubborn roadblock – and it's a common excuse to resist moving.  Often the senior will feel like they are giving up cherished memories, especially when faced with leaving a long-term home on top of it all.

It's not uncommon to wonder how you can ask Mom and Dad to give up so many mementos they obviously cherish, and risk upsetting them? Indeed, the the entire process can be daunting.

Enlisting friends and family to help a loved one clear their clutter can be an enormous help. Having others around to share memories can make the process less painful.  Sometimes seniors are daunted by the size of the task, or feel physically incapable.  Sometimes the situation becomes so dire that professional help is warranted. Senior move managers can help with the process and are experts at smoothing the transition into senior living.

A trusted advisor on senior living issues can go a long way to helping seniors and their families figure out what to throw away, what to sell, the value, and what to bring with them into assisted living. They can also help you  address fears and anxieties about assisted living, as well as the advantages of moving.  The result can be a hassle-free transition – and a much lighter load.  If you find yourself needing assistance with this sort of challenge, give us a call.  We've been helping families with this & other challenges for over a decade.

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+!

5 Myths You've Probably Heard About Nutrition...

  We often hear comments about eating less as we age, and many of those statements are unfounded.  With that in mind, we'd like to offer 5 myths regarding nutrition and seniors.  See if you recognize any of these...

#1: It’s Natural For Older People to Lose Their Appetite
  It’s true that seniors need slightly less food than younger adults because of metabolic changes.  But an outright loss of appetite is not normal, and could be a sign of serious health problem. Simple causes such as decreased sense of taste or dental problems can lead to eating less and make it appear that appetite has decreased when it hasn’t.  Any sudden weight loss should be seen as a red-flag and warrants a doctors visit.

#2: Being Moderately Overweight is a Sign of Robust Health
  While some studies suggest that being moderately overweight contributes to longer lifespans, other studies dispute this. The very overweight, or obese, will experience lifespans on average 10 years less than person of normal weight.

#3: It Doesn’t Matter Whether an Older Person Eats Alone or With Others
  People who live alone and who are left to their own devices in the area of food preparation often have bad outcomes. Eating almost every meal in isolation can also exacerbate loneliness, stress and anxiety. In other words, constantly eating alone can put seniors at risk. Mealtime should be a social activity!

#4: Seniors With a Weak Appetite can Safely Skip Meals
  There are multiple drawbacks to skipping meals. It can cause our body to crave food to such an extent that at the next meal we overindulge in the extreme, which is not healthy. On the other hand, and somewhat paradoxically, skipping meals can further decrease one's appetite. Another major risk is that it can wreak havoc on blood sugar levels, which has numerous negative impacts.  Skipping meals is not a good thing.

#5: Seniors Have Slower Metabolisms and Need Fewer Nutrients
  While a senior may need slightly fewer calories and food-bulk than a younger adult, they need just as many nutrients, if not more. One reason is that as we age, our ability to absorb nutrients is decreased. Specifically, physicians recommenced that older adult increase their intake of calcium,  as well as vitamins D and B12.

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+!

The 'What if's' of an Alzheimer's Diagnosis

  Recently we came across a conversation between a husband and wife that was recorded after the husband had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. It is both heartbreaking and heartwarming to hear them talk about their experience and hear the wife’s commitment to care for her husband, just as they had discussed years before.  It's well worth listening to, and can be heard in it's entirety here.

Whenever you or a loved one receives a diagnosis like this, it’s important to have a plan in place. Thinking through the “what-ifs” and taking steps to plan ahead will save you a lot of stress down the road.  If you have any questions about planning for care services, feel free to call Home Helpers at 704-909-7958.   We can help you to plan for your care needs as well as connect you with local resources that may be of assistance.

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+!

After the hospital visit...

  Routines are nice because you tend know what to expect. If you’ve ever been unexpectedly

hospitalized, you know that life can quickly become anything but routine.  Upon being discharged, people often find themselves facing a world of uncertainty. In an attempt to reduce medical costs, the federal government has placed increased emphasis on care transitions, a process that can quickly overwhelm many patients and their families.

The goal of care transitions is to achieve a continuity of care where patients successfully move from one setting to another with proper information, and managing the ongoing care process.  One aspect of success specific to the Affordable Care Act (i.e., ObamaCare), is a reduction of hospital re-admissions within 30 days of discharge.  Excessive re-admissions can cause hospital reimbursement rates to be cut.

Discharge is often an overwhelming experience.  Patients and family members are often inundated with information, and instructions can be confusing. Knowing this, we’d like to share some suggestions to assist in successfully transferring from the hospital to home:

Anticipate Care Needs –  Meet with your healthcare team before discharge to discuss your specific situation and ask questions to get an idea of what you and your family might expect over the next 30 to 60 days (e.g. medication regimens, medical needs, therapy, need to monitor vital signs/blood sugar, activity and diet restrictions, help with transfers and transportation).

Request Information – Take time to learn from your healthcare team about your condition and care needs. Don’t expect to remember everything the first time through. In addition to information gathered during conversations, ask for written education materials you can read and refer to over time. If needed, ask for demonstrations of specific tasks.

Focus on Safety –  Make sure you know what is needed and that you are equipped and able to do what is necessary (e.g., medication management, disease self-management, arranging follow-up appointments, helping with personal care and activities of daily living). Also, become familiar with signs and symptoms that might suggest a need for urgent attention or a call to 911.

Clarify – Ask questions. IE: “What if I cannot get in to see my Doctor within the timeframe indicated?” and “Is the hospital sending my medical records to my physician?”

Seek Support – The time and effort required to deliver the needed level of care and support can be daunting. That’s where we come in.  Home Helpers recognizes that care demands are often more than family can handle alone while maintaining other responsibilities.  A free consultation can be arranged to take place at a hospital before discharge.  We can arrange for transportation, home care services, follow up schedules, etc.

At Home Helpers, we structure our services around the needs, goals, preferences, and values of those we serve. We consider it a privilege to assist in care transitions and provide home care services needed to Make Life Easier.

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+!