LIVE WELL AT HOME AWARE SENIOR CARE Gina Murray RN, BSN Aware Senior Care 5/17/2018 VETERAN OWNED
Who said this? In the end, it s not the years in you life that count. It s the life in your years Abraham Lincoln
THRIVE Definition: To progress toward or realize a goal despite or because of circumstances, to flourish Growing older is not an option, how we live is!
Consider How do you want to spend your time? 1. People in your life- family, friends, social network 2. Activities volunteering, work, church, recreation, hobbies 3. What brings you joy 4. Goals/Bucket list avoid the I wish I had
Consider Where do you want to live? 1. Plan to stay in your current home? You can maintain it physically and financially? Is it suitable if you have mobility issue in the future? Would renovations be easy/prohibitive? 2. Plan to move? Stay in current area or choose a new location? Why, where? What type- house, condo, apartment, in a senior community? What housing options are available in that area? How you handle the logistics of moving
Consider Will I be able to continue to care for myself? 1. Can I currently manage my personal care and my household? 2. Am I too tired from my routine tasks to do what I really enjoy? 3. Do I have a known medical conditions that will likely cause disability in future? 4. If I could no longer drive, what changes would I need to make? 5. Are there changes I can make now to improve my physical health? 6. Have I had a thorough physical within the past year including vision and hearing tests?
ADLs - Red Flags Mobility- help needed to move while in bed, to get out of bed or chair Dressing difficulty getting clothes on/off, wearing clothes in need of repair/washing, wearing clothes inappropriate for the season Bathing/Grooming refusing to take showers/baths, hair uncombed/dirty, unshaven, bad breath Toileting help needed to use the toilet, soiled clothes/bed linens Walking forgetting/refusing to use a cane/walker, history of falls, unsteady while walking Eating making poor dietary choices consistently, eating soft foods only, difficulty using utensils
iadls - Red Flags Finances - overdue bills, even though there are sufficient funds, house repairs being done that are not needed Transportation - car accidents (even minor ones), people uncomfortable as a passenger, flustered with traffic, getting lost Meals/nutrition - spoiled food, making poor choices for meals, burned pots on the stove? Telephones - refuse to answer the phone or return voicemail messages, mechanics of the phone cause frustration? Household maintenance house is dangerously dirty/cluttered, yard overgrown, essential items missing or in excessive amounts
Building your team - Questions If help needed: Duration Short term - Ex: Acute illness/injury or planned surgery Long term Ex: Chronic neurological conditions, Stroke, Dementia Type of Help Physical care- ADLs Household services - iadls Transportation Ongoing supervision (safety reasons)
Build Your Team - Resources 1. Start with your MD for advice 2. Use resources your medical insurance will pay for- Home Health, Palliative Care, out patient therapies 3. Family and friends- what tasks are they willing/able to do, for how long? 4. Resources in the community Go Raleigh transportation, TAP Unlimited, pharmacies that deliver, Personal finance assistant, Meal delivery services, Adult Day programs 5. Hire private caregivers- ask friends, clergy for recommendations 6. Hire a home care agency
Build Your Team - Community Resources Home Care HOME CARE
Build Your Team - The Circle of Support Identify professional services you may need Geriatric care advocates and managers help manage the overall care plan It takes a village! www.awareseniorcare.com/what-is-the-circle-of-support
Action! 1. You have determined help is needed. 2. Document your top 3 top goals and discuss with your team. 3. Make sure everyone understands the goals and will work to achieve them 4. Designate one family member as the go to personthe communicator and final decision maker 5. Assure each team member knows their role and how to communicate information. (Note: Aware has a web-portal for communication with families and providers to collaborate care and review their care plan) 6. Evaluate the plan and make adjustments if it s not working. Never settle. 7. Achieve the life you envisioned
Personal Care assistance Household task assistance What is Home Care? Prepare list of meals, create a grocery list, grocery shop and meal preparation Shopping, running errands, transportation Light housekeeping and laundry/linen changes Companionship with respect
Partnership Home Care Home Health Client chooses when to start and stop services Visits based on client s needs No requirement to be housebound Payment: private pay, Long Term Care insurance, VA Aid and Attendance Service providers- RNs, LPNs, CNAs, PCAs, companions Physician s order needed for service Visits based on skilled need, usually an hour or less Must be housebound Payment: medical insurance including Medicare and Medicaid Service providers- RN, PT, OT, ST, Social Worker, CNA
Call us (919) 436-1871 How can we help? I think I need help. How can I know for sure? www.awareseniorcare.com/living-well-at-homeassessment I want Home Care Services. How do I choose the best provider? www.awareseniorcare.com/blogposts/questions-to-ask-choosing-a-home-careagency Education (Preparing for a Doctor s Visit, Medication Management, Falls Prevention, Scam protection) Help from our circle of support www.awareseniorcare.com/what-isthe-circle-of-support
Be Aware Subscribe to our Newsletter www.awareseniorcare.com Scroll down to the bottom left of our home page you will see the title Newsletter Subscription Put in email and full name
Final thoughts Take an honest look at your life Be proactive with support - help avoid a crisis Practice healthy habits and stay active Identify what is important to you Build a team Don t just survive - Thrive!
Thank You From Aware Senior Care! Small Business of the Year 2017 Thank You!