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.

Holiday Blues

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 holiday season is upon us!  During this time of year, you may notice a change in a loved one's mood.  It's not the actual holiday that can cause depression.  Most likely it's due to recollection of early, perhaps happier times from the past.  Memories of a lost friend, spouse, or family member, a move, or health related changes all tend to contribute.

  Some common symptoms of depression to be aware of are: irritable mood; sadness; feeling of worthlessness; anxiety; loss of appetite; and failing to maintain hygiene.  Once the cause of depression is identified, it becomes easier to address.  In severe cases, an anti-depressant may be prescribed.  More frequently, treatment may be as simple as relieving loneliness with visitations, outings, conversation, or involvement in some activities.

  Whatever the cause, it should not be ignored hoping that it will pass with the season.  Be proactive and supportive.  And as always, should the symptoms persist, contact a physician for advice.
  As always, if you or a someone you know needs care-giving assistance, call us.  We've been helping to Make Life Easier for over a decade.  It's our passion.

Holiday visits

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

 Each year as we visit families for the holidays, it's common to notice a loved one that seems to have "slowed down", or who may be having more challenges with their daily activities.  Being away for some time, and then paying a visit tends to make this observation all the more obvious.  This year, if you notice someone that seems to be struggling, consider the In-Home Care options that are available.  We can help structure a plan that works with your needs, from a couple of "check up" visits per week to 24 hour care.  Also, our Direct Link electronic products are perfect for those persons that don't require an in home aide, but who need a little something to help out and provide peace of mind.

  Visit our website and watch our videos to learn more about our services.  Then call us at 704-909-7958.

  Above all else, we'd like to wish you and yours a very Happy Thanksgiving.

What is the VA Aid & Attendance Benefit??

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 get lots of requests for information on what the VA Aid & Attendance Benefit is, and how to apply.  Here's a quick summary...

• Aid and Attendance (A&A) is a benefit paid in addition to monthly pension.    A veteran may be eligible for A&A when:
  1. The veteran requires the aid of another person in order to perform personal functions required in everyday living, such as bathing, feeding, dressing, attending to the wants of nature, adjusting prosthetic devices, or protecting himself/herself from the hazards of his/her daily environment, OR,
  2. The veteran is bedridden, in that his/her disability or disabilities requires that he/she remain in bed apart from any prescribed course of convalescence or treatment, OR,
  3. The veteran is a patient in a nursing home due to mental or physical incapacity, OR,
  4. The veteran is blind, or so nearly blind as to have corrected visual acuity of 5/200 or less, in both eyes, or concentric contraction of the visual field to 5 degrees or less.
• Housebound is paid in addition to monthly pension.    Like A&A, Housebound benefits may not be paid without eligibility to pension.   A veteran may be eligible for Housebound benefits when:
  1. The veteran has a single permanent disability evaluated as 100-percent disabling AND, due to such disability, he/she is permanently and substantially confined to his/her immediate premises, OR,
  2. The veteran has a single permanent disability evaluated as 100-percent disabling AND, another disability, or disabilities, evaluated as 60 percent or more disabling.

How to Apply for Aid and Attendance and Housebound Benefits:

• You may apply for Aid and Attendance or Housebound benefits by writing to your local VA office.  Click here for the N.C. regional office website.
• You should include copies of any evidence, preferably a report from an attending physician validating the need for Aid and Attendance or Housebound type care.
• The report should be in sufficient detail to determine whether there is disease or injury producing physical or mental impairment, loss of coordination, or conditions affecting the ability to dress and undress, to feed oneself, to attend to sanitary needs, and to keep oneself ordinarily clean and presentable.
• In addition, it is necessary to determine whether the claimant is confined to the home or immediate premises.