What Are Mother In law Suites?

Mother-in-law suites are typically entry-level dwellings. Similar to a small or studio apartment, most suites include a bedroom, bathroom, living area and kitchenette. To accommodate the elderly, most secondary suites have safety features such as handrails, walk-in showers and are wheelchair-accessible. Many also offer amenities such as intercom systems, private telephone lines and security features.

Benefits Of Homes With Mother In Law Suites

With baby boomers reaching retirement age, senior care is a growing concern in the Untied States. Many individuals with elderly parents are looking for options concerning the care of their parents. For these individuals, purchasing a home with a mother-in-law suite can be a solution to these concerns. Below are just a few of the many benefits of owning a home with a mother in law suite.

• Nursing Home Alternative -For seniors in relatively good health, mother-in-law suites offer a great alternative to nursing homes or assisted living communities. Senior care can be a significant source of anxiety for family and loved ones. And while nursing homes may be the best option for some, many children of the elderly don’t feel comfortable entrusting their parents’ health, safety and well-being to strangers. By having elderly parents in their homes, children won’t have to worry about the quality of care their loved ones are receiving.
• Privacy - Mother-in-law suits are usually designed to give a fair amount of privacy to the person living there. This is beneficial to many senior citizens who may be reluctant to live with their children. With a mother-in-law suite, elderly parents won’t feel like they’ve become burdens to their family. Secondary suites allow the elderly to retain a good deal of independence, while having family close by provides safety and peace of mind to all parties involved. Having a parent living in a secondary suite in the home can also strengthen family bonds by having multiple generations under one roof.
• Planning For The Future - For individuals with parents who still live safely and comfortable on their own, buying a home with a secondary suite can be a great way to plan for the future. Although they may not need it at the time, having a secondary suite can bring peace of mind to children and parents alike.
• Rental properties - As mother-in-law suites can make ideal rental properties, purchasing a home with a secondary suite can be a great monetary investment. During difficult economic times, having the extra income of a rental property can be of great financial benefit. And since most secondary suites have private entrances, families won’t have to worry about having close, constant contact with tenants.
• Guest Quarters - Many families use mother-in-law suites for guest accommodations. Although many people enjoy having house guests, cramped quarters and lack of privacy can be stressful on the entire household. Secondary suites provide a solution to these problems, and give guests a place where they can relax without feeling like they’re in the way. With private bathrooms and living areas, guests and hosts alike will enjoy the comforts of a secondary suite.
• Adult Children - Secondary suites also make great living quarters for adult children. For example, they can provide college-age children independence while still enjoying the comforts of home. Sending children away to college can cause parents a great amount of worry, and can also be difficult financially. Secondary suites provide parents with the peace of mind of having their children close by, and can also be significantly cheaper than student housing. Suites also supply students with a safe, quiet place to study, and can help older children become accustomed to living on their own.

No matter their current needs, nearly all families can benefit from purchasing a home with a mother-in-law suite. Whether you plan on using it as a home for a loved one, a comfortable place for house guests or a rental property, secondary suites can provide comfort, peace of mind and better quality of life for the entire family.

Image Courtesy of Stanton Homes

A Place For Mom

A Place For Mom is one of the nations largest eldercare referral services providing useful resources and services to help families and elders in need. A Place For Mom provides one on one guidance to help families navigate the difficult choices of finding the right care for their loved one.

Services and Resources:

• Needs Assessment
• Elder Care Locator
• Alzheimer’s Care
• Assisted Living
• Home Care
• Nursing Homes
• Residential Care Homes
• Retirement Communities
• more…

Website Link: APlaceForMom

Aging With Grace

The mission of Aging with Grace is ” to educate, coordinate, and facilitate individualized elder care options one family at a time.” Aging with Grace offers solutions to caregivers throughout the United States & Canada who experience the stress of elder care issues. They can assess your current caregiver situation, offer the healing touch of compassion, understanding and expertise needed to make informed decisions.

Services and Resources:

• Elder Care Locator
• Veterans Benefits Information
• In Home Support Technology
• Medicare Plan Assistance
• Caregiver resources
• Legal and Financial
• more…

Website Link: Aging With Grace

Blog: Care Connection by Aging With Grace

Elder Care Link

As a Free elder care provider referral service, Elder Care Link helps families to be accurately matched to care providers for a number of different services including; assisted living, nursing homes, adult day care, private duty nursing, care management and homecare.

Services and Resources:

• Elder Care Locator
• In Home Care
• Adult daycare
• Assisted Living
• Nursing Homes
• Alzheimer’s
• Elder Mobility
• Legal and Financial
• More..

Website Link: Elder Care Link

Remember to let us know in the comments if you have any valuable insight regarding these websites or other that would help people to find the elder care that is right for their needs.

Ask Important Questions to Decide The Right Actions

When a parent or other elderly or disabled family member suffers from a physical ailment, it may not be too difficult to determine the point at which they need assistance. Making those decisions about a loved one suffering from a mental disability may be more complicated. You will need to ask important questions to decide what actions to take. Is my loved one able to take proper care of himself? Does she remember to take her medications as prescribed? Should he fall or have some other accident, will he be able to call for assistance?

Defining Home Care Stages

Home care is the providing of assistance to people who need it while maintaining their ability to stay in their own home. There are many levels of home care ranging from occasional in-home visits by family members to 24-hour care by a nursing staff and even hospice service for the terminally ill. Home care can be temporary or permanent, possibly escalating from one stage to another over time. One of the primary goals of home care is to help the person receive the necessary assistance while giving up as little freedom and privacy as possible.

Early Stages

In the early stages of someone losing the ability to be fully independent, you will probably just want to check on the person more often. You may find it is important to stop by on the way to work to be sure they have gotten out of bed, showered, had breakfast and taken any morning medications. Perhaps you will decide to also check on the way home to make sure they have taken care of their chores, ate healthy meals and not missed any doses of medication. During this time you will be able to monitor their activity and determine if other steps need to be taken.

Difficulty With Daily Routines

Once your loved one begins having difficulty with daily routines, you will need to consider the options. If there are no medical issues, the solution may be as simple as bringing in a maid service or hiring someone just to spend time with your senior during the day or perhaps stay overnight. Unfortunately, this can become an expensive situation. Even if a family member chooses to be the caregiver, there can still be expenses in the form of lost wages. Medicare will only cover home care when it is deemed medically necessary by a doctor. Things such as assistance with bathing and cooking meals are not considered medical issues.

Care Around the Clock

The next stage in home care may be when the elderly or disabled person needs someone with them around the clock. If a family member will be the caregiver a decision will have to be made whether that person will go live with the person in need or will the person needing assistance be brought to the home of the caregiver. If the caregiver’s home will be used, an in-law suite may be the best option. An in-law suite is a small apartment set up at the residence of a family member where an elderly or disabled person can live while maintaining independence and some level of privacy. This can be a more affordable solution but may need a special design to set up the independent living space or may even require an addition built on the caregiver’s house.

Doctors Orders

If things have progressed to the point where medical assistance is ordered by a doctor, a nurse or nursing staff will be needed. Depending on the medical condition, the elderly person may need constant care. This can be expensive, but fortunately Medicare will likely cover a large part of the expense. Check with your state agency on aging to see what options may be available in your area. If the medical condition is not too severe, it may be possible to only have nursing staff on duty part-time, especially if the loved one is living in an in-law suite or has a family member who can be with them most of the time.

Special Needs for Dementia and Alzheimer’s

Some conditions, like dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, may cause a family member to have special needs that will need special arrangements. For instance, a person with dementia may be physically healthy. While it may be necessary to have a nurse on staff part-time, most care can be administered by a family member. Adjustments can be made such as securing exits and making sure power is off to appliances at night to avoid things like the loved one wandering off or turning on the stove and forgetting it is on. Each situation is different and a plan of action will depend on the specifics of the case.

Tips on Hiring  Care Givers

If the decision is made to hire a caregiver, you will need to consider carefully who you choose.

If you hire privately:

• Be sure to insist on at least three references and do not hesitate to verify them.
• Ask about the quality of care given but also inquire about the person’s demeanor and ability to handle stressful situations.
• It would also be a good idea to do a criminal background check. If the person you hire is through a home care agency, be sure they are bonded and that the agency performs thorough background checks.

Making One of The Toughest Decisions

One of the toughest decisions that may have to be made involves what to do as a terminally ill loved one’s health continues to decline. Knowing that death is approaching can in and of itself be a heavy burden to bear. At this point, it may be necessary to seek the assistance of a hospice service. A hospice service will focus on areas other than medical treatment, such as the comfort, dignity and peace of mind of the individual.

What Does a  Hospice Team Consist Of ?

The hospice care team may include nurses and health care aides, social workers and spiritual counselors. There will also be team members who specialize in helping the family cope with the difficult task of helping one they love pass. The team works with the patient’s physician to ensure everything that can done to make the patient more comfortable is done. Hospice has been around for centuries but has become more commonplace in recent years.

Making The Right Decisions For The Loved Ones Well Being

Determining the home care needs of your elderly or disabled family member can be a daunting task. However, it is also one of the most important decisions you ever will face. Maintaining a loved one’s quality of life while assisting them with the consequences of aging or living with a disability is a juggling act that can require constant adjustment. But so long as the patient’s well-being remains the focus of your decisions, the choices made will be the right ones.

Modular Mother In Law Suites

The Rockfall Company, LLC, a Connecticut-based modular builder and home remodeler, has developed and is currently introducing a modular home addition that can significantly affect the lives of thousands. Their specially-trained staff of Certified Aging-in-Place Specialists (“CAPS”, a designation awarded by the National Association of Home Builders in cooperation with AARP) has been focused on the goal of keeping the elderly and handicapped out of institutions, and they may have indeed taken a major step forward. A visit to the company’s website, www.palsbuilt.com will present a more complete description of their “Practical Assisted Living Structures”(PALS) modules.

These units are modular home additions designed to quickly (e.g. in a matter of days following delivery) and inexpensively modify virtually any home to provide the homeowner with a specially-adapted bathroom, bedroom and living space for use by an elderly or handicapped family member in need of such accommodations. Rockfall recently installed the first of these units in the home of a disabled veteran in West Haven, Connecticut and a second in the home of another disabled vet in Bristol, CT. Both installations are highlighted on the website, and more are in the works, including one being considered by a family living with MS and another with an elderly (94-year old) mother. These pre-manufactured modules, when coupled with the home-delivered skilled and custodial services provided by home care agencies and medical equipment suppliers, offer very low-cost alternatives to nursing homes and other institutional providers. While the basic module offers complete bedroom, living room and bath accommodations, the possibilities for expansion are practically limitless including specially-adapted kitchen facilities, patient transfer accommodations, 24-hour patient monitoring capabilities, caregiver accommodations, etc.

Essentially, PALS modules can:

1. Save millions in state-supported payments to institutional healthcare providers for Title XIX (Medicaid) and other programs (e.g., In Connecticut alone, where the average cost of a year’s stay in a nursing home is approximately $135,000, annual payments to institutions for long-term care exceeded $1.5 Billion in 2008. Moving only 10% to a PALS unit could save this one state in excess of $100 Million!);
2. Bring thousands of people home to the safety and care of their loved ones and families;
3. Be funded, in whole or in part, through federal programs such as the DHHS “Money Follows the Person” (MFP) demonstration currently in progress and through other state and federal programs yet to be developed;
4. Create new jobs resulting from an expanded demand for homecare services as well as for services involving building, transporting, installing and maintaining the modules; and
5. Reduce the demand for 24-hour institutional care replacing it with less-expensive intermittent home-delivered healthcare related services.

Cost Comparison

The relatively low cost of these units, amounting to a fraction of the cost of institutional care, even when you include home-delivered caregiver and equipment costs, will make PALS modules a very attractive option for many thousands of users, to scores of third-party healthcare payers and governmental programs, and to organizations supporting people with disabilities (e.g. DAV, National MS Society, MDA, ALS Association, etc.). Additionally, the raw cost of a PALS module is significantly lower than the cost of conventional building modification. For example, the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) recently announced the granting of awards under its Assisted Living Conversion Program in four states to modify existing housing units to accommodate residents needing assisted living amenities. Conversion costs per unit in those awarded projects ranged from $102,000 to $362,000. Basic PALS units, including shipping and installation with exterior siding to match the host home, would cost the homeowner or supportive program less than $60,000 each!

Article by:
John P. Ruocco, Director
Resource Development and Government Liaison
The Rockfall Company, LLC

What are your thoughts about modular mother in law suite additions? Leave a comment below!

Whether a family is looking for a home providing twenty-four hour care for an elder family member or an entrepreneur sees an opportunity to start a business helping people, it is vital that everyone understand the requirements to operate a home health care business. Taking advantage of free samples of home health care business plans during start up will eliminate costly mistakes and lead to a well run home care business.

Residents

Most states have a limit, usually around six or seven individuals, on the number of non-related adults to be housed in a resident care home. These adults are comprised of seniors needing help as they age or individuals disabled physically or developmentally.

Adults who are loud, abusive or disruptive may have difficulty finding a home since the idea is to retain a comfortable and friendly environment for the residents.

Level of Care

Potential residents may need to be screened based on the care they require versus the level of care the home is designed and qualified to provide. For adults requiring more acute care, some homes are staffed with twenty-four hour professional nursing. The care provided by home care facilities will vary but typically the basics are room, board, daily living and personal needs, laundry services, and some social activities.

Home Health Care Licensing

As part of the licensing process, states mandate providers submit to inspections of their facilities by state social services or health department professionals as well as fire department or building inspectors. These inspections are conducted to ensure cleanliness, adequate facilities for the requested number of residents, and a sufficient number of qualified staff.

The qualifications and the time provided to meet them will vary by state. State Health departments should be able to provide step by step guidelines to meet licensing requirements and the associated fees. Don’t forget about obtaining a local business license.

Employees

Background checks will need to be run on all employees prior to hiring and these records are subject to inspection by the state. Most states will require licensing for individual providers working in the home.

Personnel records of employees need to be maintained and there are some excellent home health care programs available. These programs include modules for scheduling, payroll, and taxes.

Payment

Invoicing requirements for insurance companies can seem onerous but once again, there are software programs available to help ensure timely payment of invoices. In many cases, insurance companies will be supplementing medicare and/or medicaid payments from the federal or state governments. Since cash flow is the life blood of any business, creating and maintaining accurate billing records will be of paramount importance to the financial health of the home.

Home Health Care Scheduling Software

Keeping track of everything from medications, physical therapy, lab tests, doctor visits, diets, and billing can be overwhelming. Home health care scheduling software is designed to provide individualized schedules for each resident as well as automated billing processes, allowing the staff to focus their energies on the residents.

The cost and quality of home health care can vary dramatically. Take time to investigate several facilities before making a life changing decision for a senior family member. This will likely be their last home and the goal should be to make this final chapter of their life as enjoyable as possible.

In order to be successful in the senior care business, individuals need to take the appropriate steps in building a solid home health care system. If you are looking to start your health care business from scratch, you should follow the steps listed below:

1.Target Location

You should conduct research on the senior population surrounding your area in order to target a densely populated area of individuals who are 65 or older. You can start by checking local housing communities who are specifically leasing to the senior population. Generally these housing units are located near retirement communities, which will give you a good indication as to where you can market your services. Moreover, you can check the census profiles in your local area, which will provide hard statistical data.

2.Get Licensed

Each state has it’s own rules and licensing regulations, therefore you must research your particular state’s guidelines. Your state will assist you in getting the proper license in order to operate a senior care business within your home.

3.Hire Help

Once you become licensed and certified to perform home health care services in your home, you will need additional help. Therefore you will need to hire employees to aid in providing care and assistance to your clients on a daily basis. You may want to hire part-time employees or hire on an as-needed-basis, just until you build enough clientele for some of them to work full time.

4.Conduct Background Checks

You will need to conduct thorough background checks on all employees before they can begin working for you. There are many great companies that can provide you detailed background reports such as HireRight.com, USSearch.com, or Intelius.com. These companies check for criminal records, employment verification, and motor vehicle checks. This information will be extremely useful to you because they will also be responsible for the lives of your patients.

5.Apply For Medicare and Medicaid Acceptance

In order to be able to accept Medicare and Medicaid insurance, home health care businesses need to obtain additional licensing and certification. However the first step that you must do to get accepted is to apply with your state’s Medicare agency. Then you will have to get a surety bond from a surety company. Next, the state will come out to your home and inspect it to verify whether it is up to health and safety standards. However, in order to be accepted, make sure you have at least 7 clients, 3 months of operating capital, and steady in-coming revenue.

6.Apply For Private Insurance Acceptance

Private insurance has their own rules, so you will have to go to them directly. Some of the major private insurance companies are companies such as Blue Cross, Blue Shield, and Aetna. You can call the health insurance companies to get a list of health and safety codes so that you can make sure that you meet their specified standards.

If you are interested in more information on how to start a home health care business, or how to build a senior care franchise, you may visit these additional resources.

Own a Home Care Franchise
www.HomeCareSeminar.com

Billing For Home Care
www.HAS-Software.com

Home Health Care Manuals
www.HomeHealthManuals.com

Starting A Home Health Care Business
www.ATouchOfBusiness.com

For loved ones suffering from Alzheimer’s and dementia, studies show that pet therapy offers emotional, cognitive and social benefits. Pet therapy is a proven, practical and alternative way to relieve depression, calm anxieties, and contribute to an enhanced fullness of life.

Many with Alzheimer’s, especially those who lived life as animal lovers, feel a sense of calmness and peace when petting an animal. Dogs are the most commonly used animals for this type of work, but some outlets do feature cats and rabbits. Professionals say the breed isn’t as important as the individual disposition of the animal.

Animal Assisted Therapy For Home Care

Companies and volunteer groups featuring pet therapy, sometimes called animal assisted therapy, are cropping up all over the country. These resources provide trainers and docile, people-orientated animals available to come to your home and provide therapy right in your in-law suite.

Unfortunately, depression and anxiety often go hand and hand with Alzheimer’s. It’s an emotionally devastating fact that caregivers battle. Adding a pet to an environment can lighten the mood for a patient and settle restlessness. This is especially helpful during the early evening hours where restlessness tends to peak. Stroking and comforting an animal also gives the patient a feeling of “giving back” and self worth. The pets revel in the added love and attention. Witnessing these moments are often a nice reminder to family caregivers of the parent or grandparent they remember.

Pet therapy can also alleviate confusion, inspire clarity and open windows of memory. Spending time with an animal may take these seniors back to times in their life spent nurturing animals or remind them of long-forgotten pets. The tactile feeling of the soft fur or innate nature of petting a dog can be powerful triggers.

Socially, this alternative therapy can be an ideal way to draw your loved one into social settings with other loved ones and grandchildren. With the animal as a common bond, the therapy session provides an activity and topic of conversation to be shared. This is a great way for youngsters and teenagers to interact with Grandma or Grandpa in a natural, enjoyable setting. Interacting with the pets can bring seniors out of their shell, into the present, eliciting smiles, laughter and a twinkle in the eye.

Getting Started With Pet Therapy

If you have a loved family pet, a well trained dog or cat, you’re more than halfway there. Encourage your loved one to spend more time with your furry family member. Create more opportunities for these interactions and make them a regular part of the caregiving routine. This is an ideal assignment to delegate younger family members or visiting family and friends looking for a way to contribute.
For those without pets, research the pet therapy resources in your area. You may need to introduce the senior to a few different animals to find the proper connection. Once a match is made, your family may find a whole new way to relate to one another.

RESOURCES:

SNAP for Seniors Thesis:Pet Therapy and Dementia Study by Grant Milne

Neurology Now March/April 2007

Photo Credits ; Cat-Enid Yu, Dog-mikebaird

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The Elderly and Depression

The loneliness, depression and sadness that the elderly feel, are often brought about by loss of someone close, or by the chronic changes of aging that include the loss of mobility and personal freedom, the need to depend more on others for daily personal necessities, the stiffness and pain in the joints and the need to take medication. These changes in the lives of the elderly may leave them feeling demoralized when once they were vibrant, healthy and independent individuals. This can produce a helpless, discouraging feeling that is not easily communicated to family members and even personal doctors. Doctors may not recognize the depression because they may be more focused on the physical symptoms of disease in the patient. Because the elderly may be alone, or even isolated because family and friends move away, they become even lonelier and it takes a longer period of time before the depression is spotted and treated. The depression may remain undetected for a long while because the elderly remain isolated, are reluctant to discuss their feelings, and because it is all too often assumed that the feelings and some of the symptoms seen are a natural consequence of the aging process. The cost of this oversight is quite high, as the untreated depression could result in prescription medication abuse, alcohol abuse, illness, high death rate and quite often suicide. But with the proper diagnosis of the condition, readily available treatment and support, the elderly will soon begin to feel much better about themselves and their lives.

Causes of Elderly Depression

Many circumstances in the lives of the elderly will cause onset of depression – such as illness, family history, lack of a support system and abuse of alcohol and drugs. Other factors include:

• Uncertainty and fear – Their inability to survive on Social Security benefits, the scare of increasing health issues, and also the fear of dying
• Debilitating health issues – Persistent chronic pain and physical disability and illness
• Losing a loved one – Losing a spouse and close friends or treasured household pets
• Loneliness – Lack of social interaction with others, and inability to be independently mobile because they can no longer drive themselves or are too ill to get out
• Medicines – Many medications cause depression the side effect
• Loss of drive – Loss of identity because of inability to be more active and participate socially, and the feelings of a lack of purpose in their lives

Elderly Depression Signs and Symptoms

The person suffering from depression is ill and this produces a bad effect on the quality of his life. The sign and the depression symptoms are as following:

• Fatigue – due to the inability to get well rested sleep
• Illness
• Alcohol and Drug abuse
• Inability to sleep and sleeping too much – are due to mental fatigue brought on by great sadness and even though a person may sleep a lot, they are not well rested
• Persistent sadness – a common feeling in depression, and the affected person cannot cry
• Persistent thoughts of death and dying and even suicide
• Loss of self-esteem and self-worth
• Loss or gain in weight – appetite changes may occur and the depressed person may either lose or gain weight
• Lack of social interaction, and reluctance to leave the home
• Irritability and moodiness – the depressed person will distance themselves from those that are close to them, and may suffer from mood swings for no apparent reason
• Feeling hopeless – the depressed person may feel that nothing will get better and there is  no point to living

How to Help Elderly People Suffering With Depression

Since the depressed person is unable to express their feelings adequately or even ask for assistance, it is critical that family and friends realize the suffering and seek medical treatment promptly, or the depression could develop into physical illness or may aggravate any illnesses the depressed person is currently suffering from. The following are ways anyone close to a depressed person can help.

• Seek medical attention for the depressed person – to rule out any other physical/medical conditions that may mask themselves as depression or cause a depression side effect
• Get your depressed loved one out of the home or his or her usual environment on a regular basis. You can take your loved one somewhere he or she previously enjoyed. Rent or borrow a wheel chair to make getting around easier
• Plan group activities with other individuals of the same age; they may be community members, friends or family
• Take an active interest in the person’s eating habits. Help in the planning and preparation of healthy meals with them
• Be alert to the suicide warning signs, and if your loved one may be contemplating such a course of action, be sure to get immediate medical attention.
• Ensure that the depressed person is taking all medications as and how instructed often a depressed person can take steps to help themselves through their depression. Acknowledging the sad feelings, discouragement and depression is a good start and there is no shame in owning those feeling any more than there is in owning the feelings associated with any other illness.

Ways to Alleviate Depression

One of the key ways a depressed person can help themselves out of the depression, if they are able to, is to make a conscious effort to become and remain active on as many different levels as possibly, physically, socially and mentally. This will lift the spirits and will help ease the depression.

A Few Ways to Deal with Depression:

• Make plans to be among other people. Volunteering in hospitals or nursing facilities where you may read aloud to occupants, could be an avenue to pursue.
• Becoming involved in the daily activities of a senior center will foster social interaction and the development of various skills such as arts and crafts that may be taught there. It may even be possible to qualify for special free or reduced cost transportation to get to the center.
• Attend your favorite church on a weekly basis, especially if you can arrange to receive transportation. Some churches will have special activities for seniors and also support groups for assistance.
• Indulge in new hobbies and other activities you are physically able to manage. Look into different types of music that will lift you spirits.
• Visit the public library and get into the regular habit of reading, or listening to tapes or CDs. These activities will help you stay mentally active.
• Look for information regarding your circumstances from your local agency for aging issues, and read any good resources they provide.
• Keep open communication with your doctor, and inform him of any difficulty you are experiencing with the prescribed medication. Even difficulty with affording the medication, can be helped through you doctor and the patient assistant programs of many pharmaceutical companies. You may be able to receive medications either free or at a substantially reduced cost.
• Look after a pet if you are an animal lover. They will provide good company.
• Prepare healthy meals as directed by your doctor.
• Exercise regularly, and as appropriate for your physical condition – there are exercises available for everyone regardless of physical condition. You may even exercise from a wheelchair.

Profession Help for Depression

Professional medical help is also available for the treatment of depression in seniors in addition to self-help and the help of the support given by friends and family. A depressed senior’s condition may be caused as a result of the his or her medication , by the medical condition he or she suffers from or even by the physiological changes he or she undergoes as a result of an aging body. Because of these factors, and before medical treatment can be administered to treat depression, the possible impact of these causes must first be ruled out. The doctor should know all the medications a patient is taking when he or she makes an appointment for a medical diagnosis of depression.
The effect of some medications to cause the side effect of depression, or aggravate the depression, is well documented for patients who are prescribed one or more medications to treat the following conditions:

• High bold pressure and heart disease medications
• Painkillers
• Medication for arthritis
• Hormonal treatments
• Cancer medications
• Steroids
• Tranquilizers

Additionally, because of the crippling, life-threatening and painful nature of some medical conditions, depression may often be suffered by those patients living with those illnesses.
These are a few that may lead elderly depression:

• Diabetes
• Stroke
• Multiple sclerosis
• Parkinson’s disease
• Cancer
• Alzheimer’s disease
• Heart attack and heart disease

The emotional health and mood of a person can be affected by certain chemical imbalances in the body. These factors will need to be eliminated, prior to diagnosing a patient with depression. Included are:

• Nutritional deficiency of Vitamin B12 and nutritional deficiencies
• Thyroid irregularities
• Hormonal irregularities
• Electrolyte irregularities
• Dehydration

After testing these possible causes for depression, and ruling out all as contributing to the depression, the choices left for treatment are counseling and therapy and the use of anti-depressant drugs. When treating a depressed senior, consideration has to be given to certain conditions that may be present at the same time as the depression, and may prevent effective treatment of the depression. These are usually health issues that are common among many elderly persons. One example of this is chronic pain. Chronic pain will contribute to depression and must be addressed as the patient is being treated for depression.

Treatment with Antidepressants

Antidepressant may take a long time to be an effective treatment of depression for the elderly, and there is concern that they may either refuse to take the antidepressant or forget to take it at all. There are serious side effects of taking antidepressants, such as fast bone loss caused by certain ingredients in some antidepressants, which then contributes to bone fractures and falls. Also antidepressants will not be an effective treatment of depression in those patients whose depression is caused by poor health and loneliness.

Treatment through Counseling and Therapy

Therapy has been found to be particularly effective in treating depression, has none of the adverse side effects of using antidepressants, and can be used to discover the true causes the patient’s depression.

• The Cognitive-Behavioral approach helps patients look at their thinking patterns through exercises and discussions and it attempts to find out why they behave the way they do in different situations.
• Group Therapy-meetings are held with a trained therapist and a group in which the members all suffer with the same issues. Through the group discussions, solutions may be found and support is given to others as they grow together and share similar experiences.
• Support groups – these groups may provide social interaction for the depressed person, helping to reduce the loneliness and despair they feel because of the depression.
• Psychotherapy counseling works to help depressed people understand and come to terms with the losses and changes they are experiencing in their lives.

Elderly depression is a treatable condition, but its symptoms should be recognized early and promptly treated professionally, so that the quality of your loved one’s live can be quickly restored to normal. There is a lot of help available; check with care providers like your medicare advantage. No one needs to suffer the pain and isolation of depression.

Elderly Depression Resources:

Guide to Elderly Depression – National Institute of Mental Health and the National Institute on Aging.

Understanding Geriatric Depression – ElderCare Online – Understanding signs and symptoms of depression in the elderly as well as a chart on distinguishing Depression from Dementia.

Overcoming Geriatric Depression -How You Can Help – Guide on how to talk to and meet the needs of an elderly person suffering from depression.

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What is an Adult Day Care Center?

Adult day care involves specialized programs that are designed to enhance the social, mental and physical care as well as health needs of seniors. At the senior center, the elderly are supervised and provided with assistance and companionship. The centers generally operate Mondays to Fridays during work hours, with some providing half-day services on Saturdays as well as some evening care.

Most adult day care centers are non-profit facilities with a few publicly funded and for profit.

There are two main types of adult day care and the focus is usually on:

1. Social activities along with recreation, meals and limited services for health issues.
2. Serious health care services along with meals, social and therapeutic services.

While most adult day centers serve the general population, some cater to specific groups, such as persons with Alzheimer’s or some forms of dementia; and meals, social and health care activities are also included.

Activities and Services Provided by Adult Day Care Centers

Without adult day care, many seniors would have been institutionalized; therefore it plays a critical role in preventing or delaying this action. The goal of adult day care is to help the elderly to maintain or to improve on their social, physical and mental abilities and skills, while addressing their health needs. The centers offer a wide range of activities such as local outings, holiday and birthday celebrations, entertainment with music, singing and art and craft. There are also interactive games, light exercises, group discussions and film shows.

The structured programs and activities may include:

• Socialization, exercise and recreation.
• Health screening, medical care and medication management.
• Counseling, physical therapy and respite care.
• Meals and transportation to and from the center.

At some adult day centers, seniors interact with children especially for art and craft activities. In addition, some seniors get the opportunity to give back to their community by sharing about their life experiences with school children and other community groups.

Benefits of Adult Day Care

Adult day care offers a great opportunity to keep the family unit together. Instead of being institutionalized, the senior will be able to stay at home, without requiring round the clock attention from his or her primary caregiver. It also allows the primary caregiver to work outside the home, run errands and to get a break from providing care to their relative on a 24/7 basis.

For the adult day care participants, there are many great benefits, including:

• A pleasant and safe supervised environment .
• Customized care based on needs.
• Assistance with activities of daily living.
• Support from and socializing with peers.
• Helping to develop seniors’ independence and sense of belonging.
• Nutritionally prepared meals based on health needs.
• Stimulating social and educational activities.

When to Use an Adult Day Care Center

Sometimes making a decision to use an adult day care center can pose a challenge for members of the family. Caregivers may feel as if they are giving up on their love ones and turning them over to strangers and the elderly may feel as if they are giving up their independence. However, using an adult day care center benefits all parties and should be an important component of a balanced home health care plan.

Seniors should always look at the possibility of using an adult day care and signs that it is time for the family to explore this option may result if the:

• primary caregivers are unable to continue to provide round the clock care.
• elderly is unable to be left safely and alone at home.
• senior is in need of peer support, interaction and socialization.
• senior requires help with structuring his or her own activities of daily living.

How to Find the Best Adult Day Care Center

When looking to find an adult day care center you should first identify the needs of both the senior and the family. This should take into consideration whether the senior’s main needs are more for social or medical.

Conducting research to find out if the adult day care is right for your family is very important.

A quality adult day care facility should include the following procedures:

1. Assesses the needs and abilities of each participant before admission.
2. Develops, monitors and adjusts individual treatment plans for every participant.
3. Uses staff and volunteers who are qualified and properly trained.
4. Implements standards and guidelines for both the state and national level.
5. Provides very clear guidelines regarding termination and offers referrals for other community services.

In addition, an extremely good adult day care program should provide a range of in-house services and activities in a safe and secure environment. These should meet the daily needs of participants, such as personal care, meals, transportation, recreational and rehabilitation.

Equipped with your information, you should then proceed to locate and learn more about the adult day care centers in your area. Good sources for references and information may include:

• Your local and national agencies that deal with aging, such as the National Council on Aging.
• Social services and mental health centers.
• Your family doctor and therapist.
• Recommendations from current users.
• Listings for ‘adult day care centers’ in the Yellow Pages.

*When contacting the adult care facilities, you should ask questions regarding the agency’s license, owners and length of time in operation, days and hours of operation, activities, programs, meals and staff qualifications.

Once you have identified the centers you would like to consider, you should visit them and speak with the staff and other families that use the center, since standards and services may differ. This will help you to determine if the facilities and programs offered meet with your requirements. Take along the recommended checklist by the National Aging Information Center to help you in your decision-making.

Costs and Funding for Adult Day Care

Costs for adult day care centers will vary depending on types of services, geographic location and type of reimbursements. Generally, the cost ranges from $25 to $100 daily and it is not usually covered by Medicare. However, some private medical insurance coverage and government or state assistance such as Medicaid and Veterans Administration may be available if you use a licensed facility. In addition, caregivers may benefit from tax credits for dependent care.

Other Resources and Links

Eldercare Locator, a public service of the U.S. Administration on Aging. The Eldercare Locator is your first step for finding local agencies, in every U.S. community, that can help older persons and their families access home and community-based services like transportation, meals, home care, and caregiver support services.

Find Adult Day Centers in your area National Adult Day Services Association (NADSA)

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Dementia Care and Communication

When caring for a person with Alzheimer’s or other form of dementia, always speak gently, using short sentences comprised of simple words. Avoid yelling or becoming exasperated, even when repeated requests or conversations are necessary. Eliminate distractions, when possible. Remain positive and talk with, rather that at, the person. Avoid interrupting but provide help with forgotten words, when necessary.

Dementia Care Routines

For optimal success and comfort on a daily basis, routines are an important component of Alzheimer’s or dementia care. Although the details may not be remembered, the sameness of established routines is comforting. Based on individual preferences and needs, develop routines for dressing, bathing, meals, exercise, activities, outings and bedtime. In addition, have a plan for providing physical care that requires assistance with lifting or an increased level of physical strength. Plan to have a younger relative close at hand during these times, if possible.

Daily dressing should be made as simple as possible. Avoid buttons, zippers or laces and opt for elastic waistbands and Velcro closures instead. Allow clothing to be chosen from a limited number of items and lay the items out in logical order for dressing, assisting only as needed.

Make Preparations

Reduce the stress of bathing or showering by having everything ready ahead of time and carefully explaining step-by-step exactly what is going on. For comfort and safety, use a bath or shower seat and non-slip tub mat. Install grab bars where needed. For added convenience, use a handheld showerhead. Always test the water temperature before use and never leave the room, even for just a minute.

Dementia Care Schedules

Sleeping and eating should occur on a regular schedule. A set bedtime and naptime, as appropriate, will help keep things running smoothly. Meals and snacks served at specific times helps to provide structure to the day. Keep in mind that several small meals are usually better than three large meals.

Exercise For Dementia Home Care

Adequate exercise is critical for the caregiver as well as the person to whom care is being provided. Creatively incorporate exercise into the daily routine whenever possible. Discover forms of exercise that are mutually enjoyable such as walking around the neighborhood, swimming or gardening.

Activities and outings present a special set of challenges. During any activity be alert for signs of impending frustration. Plan activities based on existing skills rather than attempting those requiring that new skills be learned. Schedule outings and appointments for the time of day when cooperation is most likely and take along a family member or friend, when possible.

Dealing with Hallucinations from dementia

People afflicted with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia may experience hallucinations or delusions. Should this occur, discuss the problem with the primary care physician as it may indicate physical illness. In the absence of physical illness, techniques to deal with hallucinations or delusions include distraction through a change topic or physical in location. Avoid arguing or attempts at reasoning, as these tactics will most likely lead to further agitation.

Considering Pets For Home Care Patients

Finally, consider whether a pet would be beneficial. Pets provide companionship and often have a calming effect. When selecting a pet, choose one with an appropriate disposition. An adult cat or calm lap dog is usually a good choice. Check the local animal shelter or humane society for assistance in adopting a pet that is already housebroken and displays the desired behaviors and character traits.

Home Caregiver Back-up and Respite Care

As a caregiver, it is imperative to have a backup plan, as there may be time when personally providing care is just not possible. Consider the impact that illness or injury could have on your ability to care for your loved one. Having a contingency plan for emergencies, illness or other unforeseen circumstances provides peace of mind and ensures continuity of care.

It is best to have at least one specific alternate person in place that knows the routines and can step in should the primary caregiver be unavailable. Identify various family and friends who may be called upon in the event of an emergency. In addition to providing hands-on training, develop a written set of instructions that includes the daily routines, medications and any tidbits of information that might be helpful. Encourage all alternate caregivers to visit regularly to retain familiarity with the established routines and keep abreast of inevitable changes in the person suffering from Alzheimer’s disease or other form of dementia.

Remember To Take A Break From Being A Home  Caregiver

It’s also critical that the caregiver takes a break now and then. Caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s or other dementia is an around-the-clock job that can be draining emotionally and physically. To continue providing optimal care in a loving and nurturing environment, the caregiver needs time away to recharge. Seek adequate respite on a regular basis. Ask for help from family and friends. See what community resources are available, such as adult day care. These programs provide an opportunity for socialization and ensure safety during the caregiver’s absence providing the caregiver with a much needed and well-deserved break.

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