Aging Is Not For Wimps!

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 began our new educational series "Aging Is Not For Wimps" this past week.  The presentation is intended to educate the community on options that are available when extended care is needed, how to pay for it, how to find information, who to turn to, etc.  We had a lot of fun with the audience, and have scheduled more presentations in the near future.
  Shortly afterwards, I stumbled across a well written article (click here) where 3 daughters are struggling to get the proper care for their father, who suffers from Alzheimer's.  Due to prior decisions, obscure law's, and a confusing care system, they are finding themselves caught up in legal and procedural loop holes.  It's a touching article, and makes one wonder if the situation could have been avoided with some prior planning.
  It's human nature to want to put things off, especially when hard decisions must be made for a loved one.  However, doing so can lead to a situation that's difficult to manage and uncomfortable for all.  Facing challenges, educating yourself on options, and taking action can help avoid this.  Hopefully, none of us ever finds ourselves in the position of the 3 daughters in the above article!
  Be sure to check our website and FaceBook page if you're interested in attending one of our presentations.  We'll post the schedules as soon as they are finalized.

Alzheimer's care: Therapeutic Fibbing

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

  One of the most challenging aspects of caring for the Alzheimer's or Dementia patient is accepting their reality.  To accomplish this sometimes requires a little 'therapeutic fibbing', the goal being to avoid causing distress or anxiety in the sufferer.  The caregiver should understand that altering the truth can be acceptable when the patient is no longer in touch with reality.
 For instance:

• The patient is reluctant to allow a caregiver to assist them.  In this case, you can try introducing the caregiver as a friend that just wanted to drop by and visit.  As the patient grows more comfortable with the new 'friend', more time, and thus more assistance can be comfortably provided.
• The patient is restless and bored.  Try to get them to do something they used to enjoy doing under the guise of 'helping out'.  For instance: Mom used to enjoy folding clean sheets.  Ask if she would help out by folding the clean laundry.  If she accepts, simply provide a basket of unfolded sheets which she can fold!  If she wants to help more, simply provide more sheets (you may have to unfold the sheets again in another room!).  Then thank her for the help.
• The patient is reluctant to bathe.  Try redirecting the act of simply bathing to something that is part of another activity. For instance, instead of "Time for a bath!", try something like "We'll be having dinner soon, let's get your bath done before dinner so that you'll look your best for everyone..."

 Sometimes, you may have to be a little creative.  As a child, we're always taught to tell the truth. But when dealing with a patient with Dementia, a little fib can be the biggest act of kindness.

Did you notice the change???

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

  If you didn't notice, we've added a YouTube channel bar on the right side of our Healthful Blog!  It's linked directly back to our Home Helpers YouTube Channel, so that you can view most of our videos directly from this page.  To visit our channel, click here.  You'll be redirected directly to our channel where you can choose each video in the resolution of your choice! 
  We've got lot's of ideas for additional videos that will explain our services, as well as educational videos that will attempt to clarify complex topics in an easy to understand format.  All with the intent of Making Life Easier!!

April: Parkinson's Awareness Month

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

 April, a time when spring is in the air, is also Parkinson's Awareness Month.  It's estimated that nearly 1 million people suffer from Parkinson's in the US alone, with such notable names as Michael J. Fox and Muhammed Ali being readily recognizable.  The following is some simple information about a complex disease:
 Just what is Parkinson's?   The disease occurs when a group of brain cells that produce the chemical dopamine, begin to malfunction and die.  This affects the brains ability to control movement in the body.  The disease is chronic and progressive, with no known cure.  The cause is unknown, but medication and treatment is available to manage it.
 Why raise awareness?  It's very likely that you know someone that has been affected by Parkinson's.  As our society ages, the number of Parkinson's suffers is expected to grow.  In fact, the number of people dying from the disease has quadrupled in the last 20 years.
 What can you do?  Educate yourself.  The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research is a great website that provides easily understood information.  Likewise for the American Parkinson's Disease Association and The National Parkinson's Foundation.  As research continues to discover more about the cause, prevention and treatment move closer to a cure.  Get involved and help raise awareness!
  

New commercials from our office...

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

 Our office has just completed the recording of several commercials, and two are now posted on the web!
 It was amazing how many people simply DID NOT want to be on screen during this project.  Stage fright, mike fright?  We may never know.  Naturally, we hope you like them!!  Let us know what you think.  Click here for your viewing pleasure!
 

Dementia? Alzheimer's? What's the difference??? Our continuing series...

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

 A frequently asked question about Alzheimer's disease is "What's the difference between Dementia and Alzheimer's?".  Let's try to look at this in terms we are all familiar with.  When a person becomes ill, they may have a fever.  The fever is not the illness that they are suffering from, but rather it's a symptom.  The cause of the fever could range from anything as simple as a cold to something more complex like peritonitis.  In this case, it's easy to see that a prompt and proper diagnosis is crucial in order to properly treat the illness, or cause of the fever.

 We can think of Dementia like a fever, it's not the disease, but rather a symptom, and is not necessarily a normal part of aging.  There are many causes of Dementia, some of which are reversible.  Unfortunately, more than 70% are attributed to Alzheimer's.  Whenever Dementia presents itself, the person showing it's signs should be checked out thoroughly.  The significance of a correct and prompt diagnosis could make all the difference in putting the patient on the proper track.

 For more information on Alzheimer's, visit www.alz.org .