Summertime Brings Swimming, Fun and Dehydration

Summertime is a wonderful time of year for outdoor activities. Unfortunately, it also brings hot weather, and many times, dehydration for seniors.

Summertime is a wonderful time of year for outdoor activities – people go on picnics, barbeques, go swimming and enjoy those long warm evenings that are perfect for sitting outside on the porch. But, unfortunately, it also brings hot weather and many times dehydration for seniors.

Seniors are at the greatest risk of dehydration and it can be potentially life-threatening for them.  A senior between the ages of 85-99 years are six times more likely to be hospitalized for dehydration than those aged 65-69 years.  Chronic dehydration is common in seniors due to several factors: The medications they may be taking or their limited mobility – they may not be able to get up to get a glass of water easily. And, did you know that as we age our sense of thirst diminishes? Yes, it is true. So, once you take these factors into consideration and then add hot weather to the mix, your elderly loved one can quickly become dehydrated. 

You may be asking yourself, “How do I know whether my elder is dehydrated?”  Here are some symptoms to look for:

1.      Confusion

2.      Feeling dizzy or light headed

3.      Having problems walking, being confused or falling

4.      Unusual drowsiness

5.      Labored speech

6.      A decrease in skin turgor or “tenting.”  You can do this by gently pulling up the skin on the back of the hand for a few seconds; if it does not return to normal within a few seconds, the person is dehydrated

The goal is to make sure that your elder does not get to the point of dehydration, so here are some tips to help keep them hydrated and out of the Emergency Room:

·         Water is only good for running under bridges! Some seniors believe that water is only good for running under bridges.  This may be because they are not avid water drinkers in the first place. Be creative in encouraging them to drink water.  One idea is to set a cup of water next to them, so it is easily available. Also make sure that they take frequent small sips rather than gulping it down all at once.

·         Fruits and vegetables also contain water.  Did you know that fruits and vegetables contain over 75% water? So, make sure they get a few servings a day, especially during the hot summertime months.  And, who doesn’t like a cool, tasty bowl of fruit during the summer?

·         Water is not your only friend. While water is the best way to keep dehydration at bay, they can also drink other liquids such as fruit juices or sports drinks to stay hydrated.  Sometimes it is essential to add some “sparkle” to their water – and their day!

·         Avoid salt.  Yes, you guessed it; salt can accelerate dehydration, so it is best to avoid it as much as possible.

·         Avoid caffeine, sodas and alcoholic drinks.  Coffee, sodas, beer, wine and all alcoholic drinks cause dehydration. If a senior loved one enjoys a drink or two, it is best to either include a glass of water with them or avoid them altogether, if possible.

Keeping your senior safe is vitally important, and a big part of this safety is making sure that they stay hydrated, especially during the warm, summertime months.  Staying hydrated is essential to good health and to staying out of the Emergency Room. Also, make sure you are aware of the symptoms of dehydration to quickly be ready to take action if you suspect it.

In the meantime, stay hydrated and enjoy your summer!

Ouch! Don't Let Your Senior Get Sun Burned this Summer (Or Anytime)!

There has been a tremendous increase in skin cancer, and more and more seniors are experiencing skin damage that they incurred during those hot summer days. Learn how to avoid this! 

When many seniors were young they didn’t worry about getting too much sun – sunscreen wasn’t sold commercially until the 1960’s (Remember those Coppertone ads with the dog pulling on the child’s pants?)  As children they played outside without using sunscreen or sometimes without wearing a hat!  They didn’t worry about protecting their skin. As a result, there has been a tremendous increase in skin cancer, and more and more seniors are experiencing skin damage that they incurred during those hot summer days.  

Luckily, today things have changed quite a bit – there are numerous types of good sunscreens on the market.  But, regardless, seniors must protect their skin particularly in summertime – it is a matter of safety!  Here is why:  As we age our skin gets thinner and dryer due to diminished collagen and elastin, and slows down the replacement of dead skin cells with new ones.  However, the biggest reason to protect seniors’ skin is, yes, you guessed it – skin cancer!  Exposure to too much sun (UV radiation) is one of the most common causes of skin cancers.  With skin cancer on the rise, it is imperative as part of a seniors health regime to follow sun safety. 

So, how can you protect your elder loved one from the sun’s rays this summer? Here are some tips for keeping them protected:

·        Sunscreen is your friend.  If necessary, avoid the sun entirely!!! But, if they are unable to do so make sure shade is available. Also, always have them wear sunscreen outside!  This will provide them with some extra protection if they happen to get exposed to the sun!

·        The sun may still find shade. Believe it or not, even when a senior is sitting in the shade they can still be exposed to the sun’s ultraviolet rays.  So, make sure that their arms and legs are covered with dark clothing and material that is not too thin – if it is, the sun can still get through!  

·        Make wearing hats fun!  If shade is not available, have them wear a broad-brimmed hat. Wearing hats can be fun – it can be a trip down memory lane by having them remember the times they wore a hat as a child. 

·        The sun keeps time too!  If a senior is outside, avoid exposure during the hours of 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.—this is when the sun’s rays are the strongest!

·        Medications and the sun – sometimes not a good combination! Be aware of sun-sensitizing medications.  Believe it or not some common prescriptions and over-the-counter drugs such as Advil, Motrin and others can make their skin more sensitive to sunlight.  Even prescription drugs such as high blood pressure, cholesterol and diabetes medications can cause sun sensitivity.  Make sure you ask the doctor or pharmacist about medication side effects. If they increase sun sensitivity, keep them out of the sun! 

In addition to taking the precautions above, always make sure your senior is hydrated by drinking plenty of liquids, particularly during the warmer summertime weather.  And, finally, make sure that their skin is checked regularly by the doctor for any unusual freckles, bumps, moles or other irregularities. Remember, it is better to be safe than sorry!

Keeping your senior safe is vitally important, and a big part of this safety is following sun precautions.  Enjoy the summertime by staying sun-safe by wearing those big floppy hats and sunscreen when you are outdoors. 

What methods do you use for sun protection? Have you found the perfect sun lotion or best hat for those summer rays?

Take Care of Yourself When Taking Care of Others

Take Care of Yourself When Taking Care of Others

Auburn, NH May 21, 2012 - In homes all over the area, a relative is taking care of an older or disabled person today. They might be helping them to dress or shop for food, or remind them to take medicines or even just make sure they’re safe at home. They’re not alone - the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reports that more than 44 million Americans provide unpaid care to an elderly or disabled person 18 or over every year. A large percentage of these people are family caregivers – spouses caring for husbands or wives, or adult children or grandchildren caring for elderly relatives. 

The reality is that most Americans will act as a family caregiver at some point during their lives. Some will be juggling paying jobs in addition to their caregiver duties, and some will still be raising their own children while caring for their elderly relatives. And they may not realize that help is available.

Being a family caregiver for an elderly loved one can be incredibly rewarding. Caregivers usually report they enjoy feeling needed, knowing they are doing something good for someone they love and building a stronger, closer relationship. But caregiving can take its toll mentally and physically, and most family caregivers report feeling the effects of “caregiver stress” at some point. 

The best way to reduce the effects of caregiver stress is to ask for and accept help. Make a list of ways others can help you, and let your family and friends choose what they want to do. One person might volunteer to take the person you care for on a walk a couple of times a week, another might offer to pick up groceries for you. Consider bringing in outside help, such as non-medical home care from an agency like Visiting Angels, one or more days a week to give everyone a break as well.

Take a note of these signs of caregiver stress – if any apply, you need help:

·         Feeling overwhelmed

·         Sleeping too much or too little

·         Gaining or losing a lot of weight

·         Feeling tired or exhausted most of the time

·         Losing interest in activities you used to enjoy

·         Becoming easily irritated or angered

·         Feeling constantly worried

·         Feeling sad

·         Experiencing frequent headaches, bodily pain or other chronic physical problems

·         Abusing alcohol or drugs, including prescription medication

If you are a family caregiver, it is both normal and common to feel the effects of caregiver stress. That’s why it’s essential to plan your care, too, and to have a plan in place to manage that stress before it results in severe mental and/or physical health issues. In order to take the best care of anyone else, you must first take care of yourself. 

Contact your local Area Agency on Aging (AAA) or ServiceLink office to see what services are available in your area. Some options to explore include:

·         Transportation and meal delivery assistance

·         Home health care services (such as nursing or physical therapy)

·         Non-medical home care, such as that provided by Visiting Angels and other agencies, to help with hygiene, meal preparation/diet monitoring, light housekeeping, errands,  shopping and companionship

·         Home modification to make it easier for your loved one to perform daily tasks

·         Respite care, either in-home, or out-of-the-home through home care agencies, adult day-care centers, short-term nursing homes or day hospitals to give you a much-needed break.

Once help is in place it’s vital that you take proper care of yourself. Make time each week to do something that you enjoy. Try to find time to be physically active each day, eat a healthy diet, and get enough sleep. Get regular checkups from your physician, let him or her know that you are a caregiver, and be sure to share any symptoms of depression or sickness you may be having. Stay in touch with family and friends, and join a support group for caregivers.  

Prevent caregiver stress by researching the resources that are available in your area and taking advantage of them. To get started, you can contact your local AAA or contact Visiting Angels at (603) 483-8999 or visit www.HomeCareofNH.com. Remember that your health is just as important as the health of the person for whom you are caring, and that you are not alone. 

In Caring for Someone with Alzheimer’s, Support is the Most Important Resource

Auburn, NH  – February 25, 2011 – According to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, as many as 5.1 million Americans may have Alzheimer’s disease, a fatal brain disease that causes a slow decline in memory, thinking and reasoning skills. A diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease can be frightening and devastating to an individual and their loved ones, but there are some steps you can take to make it through.

While there is no cure for Alzheimer’s, there are treatments and therapies that can slow the worsening of dementia symptoms and improve the quality of life for those with the disease and their caregivers. If you suspect your loved one is showing symptoms of Alzheimer’s, it is extremely important to be proactive by getting them to their physician, and if a diagnosis is made, to get a care team and plan in place as soon as possible. 

First, know these 10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s:

1.    Memory loss that disrupts daily life: not remembering recent events, names, where things go, and other new information.

2.    Challenges in planning or solving problems: Having trouble following a familiar recipe or keeping track of monthly bills, difficulty concentrating and taking much longer to do things than previously should be taken seriously.

3.    Difficulty completing familiar tasks at home or at work.

4.    Confusion about time and place: People with Alzheimer’s can lose track of dates, seasons and the passage of time.

5.    Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships: look for difficulty reading, judging distance and determining color or contrast.

6.    New problems with words in speaking or writing: Signs include trouble finding the appropriate words, completing sentences, and following directions and conversations.

7.    Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps: People with Alzheimer’s may put things in unusual places, or accuse others of stealing.

8.    Decreased or poor judgment when making decisions: There may be issues with monetary scams or less attention to grooming and hygiene.

9.    Withdrawal from work or social activities.

10.  Changes in mood or personality: Signs include increased depression, fearfulness, anxiety or suspicion, rapid and persistent mood swings, withdrawal and disinterest in usual activities. 

If your loved one is displaying any of these warning signs, it is vital to have them evaluated by a physician and screened for Alzheimer’s. It is important to remember that Alzheimer’s disease is not a normal part of the aging process, and it should not be mistaken for basic forgetfulness. Every person may experience one or more of these signs in different degrees, but with Alzheimer’s disease, these symptoms gradually increase and become more persistent.

If a physician diagnoses Alzheimer’s, the more proactive you are in making decisions regarding care, the more you can manage the disease. Here are a few basic steps to help if you or someone you love is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s:

1.    Educate yourself about the disease. The more you know, the more you can be prepared. The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (www.alzfdn.org) and the Alzheimer’s Association (www.alz.org) are two great resources.

2.    Take care of financial, legal and long-term care planning issues. Discuss wishes related to future care and end-of-life issues.

3.    Employ cognitive stimulation. Listening to music, word puzzles and memory games can help and can provide a positive experience for the patient and caregivers.

4.    Arrange respite and/or regular professional care. Even if you are willing and able to be a primary caregiver for an Alzheimer’s patient, you will need help, if only to take a short break. Plus, it helps to introduce a professional caregiver while a person is still in the early stages of Alzheimer’s, because once the disease progresses it can be more difficult and upsetting to change routines. When looking to hire home care help, try to find a person who has Dementia Care Professionals of America training (http://www.careprofessionals.org/ ) or experience with dementia care clients. Visiting Angels, for example, the nation’s leading network for quality, compassionate home care, is one local home care agency that provides this training to its staff.

5.    Build a support system. Being a caregiver for someone with Alzheimer’s can be stressful and overwhelming. Find people to talk to, reach out for help, and always make time to maintain your own physical and mental health. Many local hospitals and departments of aging offer free support groups, along with sites like the National Family Caregivers Association (http://www.thefamilycaregiver.org/caregiving_resources/ ) and Caring.com (http://www.caring.com/ ).

If you or your loved one has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or a related dementia, know that you are not alone. For more information or to explore care options, call Visiting Angels at (603) 483-8999 or visit us online at www.homecareofnh.com. 

Why Choose a "Best of Home Care Agency?"

Best of Home Care 2012!

Home Care is a growing trend. It’s not surprising that most people would rather stay at home and receive care than move to a facility. Visiting Angels provides quality, dependable home care to aging seniors, chronically ill individuals, and the physically disabled throughout Central, Southern and Seacoast areas of New Hampshire. While we pride ourselves on the services we offer, we’re also proud to be the awarded Best of Homecare 2012 for measuring what matters.

Why Choose a "Best of Home Care Agency?"

A "Best of Home Care", agency has proven that it care about quality in both its client and employee interactions.

Client Satisfaction - Knowing that clients are satisfied with their services gives you a great indicator that you will be satisfied as well.

• We measure client feedback
• We measure agency improvements in many categories, including the following: Caregiver's work ethic, timeliness, compassion and the agency's effective communication, coordination of caregiver's schedule, overall quality of service and more.

Employee Satisfaction - Happy employee are good employees. If an agency cares enough to take care of it's employees, you can be assured that the agency will take care of its clients!

• We measure working environment satisfaction
• We measure caregiver performance improvements
• We measure how well an agency rewards caregivers
• We measure caregiver morale

Visiting Angels of Auburn, NH was recognized for being the best in:

• Overall Quality of Service
• Caregiver's Work Ethic
• Caregiver's Timeliness
• Caregiver's Training and Knowledge
• Caregiver's Compassion
• Caregiver's Appropriate Appearance
• Confidence Level in Agency Management
• Agency's Response to Problems
• Receiving the Service as Promised
• Recommend Agency to Others
• Coordination of Caregiver's Schedule
• Overall Combined Average

At Visiting Angels we match the best possible caregiver with each of our clients, based on the client’s needs, geographic area, schedule needed and personality. Visiting Angels caregivers can provide services like bathing, dressing and medication reminders,
along with chores like laundry, grocery shopping and prescription pick up. Caregivers can also escort clients to doctor’s appointments and assist with running errands. Most importantly – caregivers provide companionship and safety supervision. Our caregivers offer the
client’s loved ones peace of mind, knowing their parent or family member is being well cared for and is safe in their home.

"We are very proud of our staff, and proud of the care we deliver to our clients and we will consistently hold very high standards of care to make sure the families we service are happy and healthy in the place they call home."

~Debra Desrosiers, Certified Senior Advisor and Director of Visiting Angels of Auburn, New Hampshire 

Visiting Angels Walks the Talk

Visiting Angels Walks the Talk


(December 5, 2011) – Every 69 seconds someone in America develops Alzheimer’s disease. Some may live only a short time after their diagnoses, others may spend 20 years with the disease. For most, a family member will be their primary caregiver, a job that 60% rank as high or very high in emotional stress.

Visiting Angels, the nation's leading network of non-medical, private duty home care agencies, understands the challenge of Alzheimer’s disease at a very individual level. Caring for seniors with Alzheimer’s and other memory impairments is one of Visiting Angels’ specialties. But the agencies do more than provide much needed care and assistance – in 2011 Visiting Angels franchises across the country came together to “Walk to End Alzheimer’s” and raise over $52,000 to date to help find a cure for Alzheimer’s.
Over 100 franchises from coast to coast fielded teams to raise money for the cause, and more than 700 Visiting Angels staff members participated in events ranging from tag sales to walks. Debra Desrosiers, owner of the Auburn, NH Visiting Angels agency, coordinated the effort across the corporation.

“Talking with people who are affected with the disease made me want to help even more,” Desrosiers explains. “Some are very aware of it, and it tears your heart. This is something I’m passionate about. It’s a big part of who we service and I see how devastating this disease is for families.”
Desrosiers knew she wanted her agency to participate in raising funds, but then she decided to take it a step further. She approached Visiting Angels corporate headquarters to set up teams at agencies across the country. Visiting Angels headquarters quickly agreed, and Desrosiers found herself heading up a major fundraising effort.

“Visiting Angels has always focused on increasing the public’s awareness of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia through year round events and fund raisers,” says Richard Bitner, Vice President of Marketing. “Being able to participate across the corporation in this effort let us reaffirm our commitment to seniors across America.”

One of the franchises that participated is Visiting Angels of Carroll and Western Baltimore Counties in Maryland. “We participated because we want to make a commitment toward finding a cure for this devastating disease,” explains Deb Valenza, Director of Marketing for the franchise. “Our owners matched donations that came in and literally ‘walked the walk’ with the team. Walking as a team side by side with caregivers and individuals who have been touched by this disease was very powerful, moving most to tears when their stories were shared.”
Desrosiers, who had been involved in the Massachusetts/New Hampshire chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association, began planning in January of 2011, with events kicking off in April. She plans to keep up the fundraising until the last day of the year.
“I know this disease can ruin family relationships,” she says. “A lot of people get in over their heads and they don’t know that affordable help is out there. Agencies like ours can be pivotal in keeping people at home where their memories are. Once you displace people with Alzheimer’s from their home they can decline quickly. We have our sad moments but we know we help. We are able to accomplish a task, and that task is giving the best care possible while we all work toward a cure.”


Resources:
• Alzheimer’s Association – information and free care planning consultations: http://www.alz.org/
• Alzheimer’s Foundation - http://www.alzfdn.org/?gclid=CO6xn6b_u6wCFcp65Qod0xoUpQ
• 2011 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures: http://www.alz.org/documents_custom/2011_Facts_Figures_Fact_Sheet.pdf
• Visiting Angels agencies: http://www.visitingangels.com/

Unsung Hero Award

I have been selected to receive an "Unsung Hero Award" that will be honored with many other exceptional individuals on November 30, 2011 by the Alzheimer's Association MA/NH Chapter.  I have been asked to speak for about 4 minutes. This is the first time I will need to prepare a speech and not sure even where to begin as my journey with The Alzheimer's Association started 8 years ago and my driving force for helping others with dementia is very hard to explain or describe.  Where do I begin?

I participated in my first Memory Walk at Veteran's park in Manchester, NH 8 years ago when NH & VT chapters were merged.  It was a joke.  No support was offered.  We raised very little money and had hardly any walkers.  I was then asked to help out the following year.

The next year I ran the walk.  We spent a tremendous amount of time organizing the walk and having a lot of pre-event activities and doubled the amount we raised.  We had many more walkers and a lot more support.  After this event I was then informed VT was severing it's relationship with NH and closed their office in Concord, NH.   UGH!

I then find out the MA chapter was interested in merging with NH.  This year was a re-organizing year that has paid off very well for NH residents.  Entering into my world next is the NH office staff that opened a office in Bedford, NH.  They have been wonderful.  Many benefits to the residents of NH seeking information and help.

At this point our awareness and fundraising began to explode.  Keep in mind when I began eight years ago we only raised about $12,000 or so from my memory and now we are close to $175,000. A tremendous increase.

Why do I do this?  I must have a connection to the disease right?   Not a first!   I can now say I do with several relatives now going through their journey.  My grandmother had a very short journey but had passed from unrelated issues not related to dementia.

I do this because I see firsthand what families are dealing with.  My very first experience was with Russell.  I gentleman I met in his 80's who lived at home until late in the disease when he moved in with his daughter.  Russell understood he had an issue but was happy. He was what I called a pleasure to help.  His daughter was fully committed to give him the best care possible.  Unfortunately I saw this tear up the family.  The son and other daughter never visited and neither did any grandchildren.  No one offered support.  Why?  It's hard to know why but seeing this made me angry and has given me fuel to fight. How could anyone not want to help Russell? 

My next inspiration has come from Romeo.  Romeo is a very nice man that I had gotten to know him from taking care of his wife whom suffered a stroke.  After a about a year after her passing we were called in to watch over Romeo whom was diagnosed with Alzheimer's.  I still see Romeo and visit occasionally.  He always has a big smile for me.  We just have a special connection.

Over the years I have educated myself. I see this disease often in the public.  Just recently my husband I went out to dinner.  We saw an older couple exiting the same time as us.  The wife was unsteady so I told the husband I would stay with her until he pulled up the car. While we waited we had a short conversation and I knew she had a cognitive deficit and she confirmed my suspicion when she stated she had an upcoming appointment she with a Doctor.  It's amazing to see how much this disease really is spreading. I am meeting families all the time and trying to steer them in the right direction and offer support and education to the best of my ability.

 This disease has surrounded me! I see it exploding and taking quality of life from many families.  When a client explained to me, "It's those marbles right here causing the problem", how can you not try and help?

When a daughter cries for help because her mother won't listen to her and her safety is at risk, how can you not try and help?

When a prominent former attorney answers the door in his underwear after always being dressed in a suit and tie when you previously met, how can you not try and help?

When a family states we have tried help before but they always throw them out, how can you not try and help?

When a husband cries because he is loosing his best friend, how can you not try and help?

We have many improvements to make in the medical community so families are treated and educated correctly. I cringe when I hear stories of families looking for more information  but not being given what they truly need.  I have a mission and will not stop until we see progress and results.

I am honored to receive this award and feel that everyone should be doing what I am doing so we can make some progress and defeat Alzheimer's disease. 

I would like to thank everyone that supports me and my mission and together we WILL make a difference.