How to make your emergency plan:

Assign one person to check in on your loved one after a
disaster and, if needed, offer assistance.
Exchange important keys so everyone who needs to will have access to your loved one.

Verify that everyone knows where emergency supplies are
stored.

Distribute copies of your loved one’s relevant emergency
documents, evacuation plans, and emergency health
information card.

Determine how you’re all going to communicate during an
emergency (don’t assume the phone will be working).

Make sure all members of your support network notify each
other when they are going to be out of town.

Spaid Nursing Service can assist you find all the help you need to keep
your loved one safe, please contact us at (502) 637-5474 if you or a loved one need in-home care or have questions about home care services and programs.

With the increasing population of elderly Americans, longer average life spans and increasing costs of health care, it’s wise to consider LTCi as an option for when you’ll someday need extra care yourself.

Planning for Long-Term Care

LTCi is a separate insurance policy that covers costs that arise when an individual needs on-going care including home care, nursing home care or care in an assisted-living facility.

Although LTCi probably isn’t high on most Americans’ lists of priorities, it probably should be. Statistics show that 72 percent of elderly Americans are impoverished after paying for one year of long-term care.

The average cost of a private room in a nursing home in the U.S. is estimated at $69,400 a year. And if an individual wishes to remain in his/her own home, versus entering institutionalized care, the national average rate for a home health aide is $18.58 an hour or $446 a day for round-the-clock care.

If you think that the government or your health insurance will cover these costs, you’d better think again.

The majority of long-term care costs are not covered by Medicare or most health insurance plans. Medicare only covers skilled and rehabilitative care (doctors and nurses) and does not cover custodial care including help with activities of daily living (ADLs). Medicaid will cover the cost of care but only after an individual has depleted all their assets.

Many elderly Americans end up relying on family members to provide care. Some end up depleting all their assets and going on Medicaid resulting in a coverage that restricts where an individual receives care. With a little planning and available funds to cover LTCi premiums, most Americans can avoid burdening their family with their long-term care needs and still leave some assets behind.

Options in LTCi

According to financial planners, people should start to think about purchasing a LTCi policy when they reach their late 50s. Although a few employers offer LTCi policies as an optional benefit, in most cases LTCi is a policy you’ll need to purchase from an outside company.

Several factors will influence the cost, but the average annual figure for LTCi is about $1,900.

The premium will depend on:

-how long you pay out-of-pocket until the policy
kicks in (often 90 days)
-age and current health situation
-the amount of coverage you can afford and how
much you’ll need to cover the average costs of
care in your area
Before purchasing a policy, it is important to find a financial planner or insurance agency that specializes in long-term care planning and talk to them about the options.

Some things to consider:

First decide if LTCi makes sense given your current situation. If you have a large amount in assets, you’ll probably want to purchase a policy to protect your assets. However, if you can’t afford the premiums without changing your current lifestyle, then it might not make the most sense for you.

Make sure that the policy you choose does not have a hospitalization requirement prior to service kicking in. If it does, you might save on premium costs but could end up paying a steep bill before you can access the benefit.

Make sure the policy you choose takes inflation into account. You’ll want a policy that has a compound inflation protection benefit increase (usually around 5 percent) to cover rising prices.

Once you’ve decided on the type of coverage and plan you need and can afford, then look at the companies offering such policies. You’ll want to be sure you’re choosing a solid company with a proven track record in LTCi.

Although LTCi is still fairly new, experts predict that its popularity will continue growing as a viable option for preparing for retirement. With government programs in crisis mode, there are several bills pending in congress that encourage people to buy long-term care insurance. In fact, twenty-six states now grant tax deductions for purchasing LTCi policies.

Spaid Nursing Service has 35 years of history in the Louisville area working with Long Term Care Insurance carriers, and anticipates this funding source to continue to grow in popularity. Please contact us at (502) 637-5474 if you or a loved one need in-home care or have questions about home care services and programs.

Anyone who cares for someone with a chronic illness for very long will soon realize there is much to be learned about how to organize medications. There are many ways to remind patients which medications to take when. In addition, what about those patients who insist on taking medications on their own? Are there ways to remind them about medicines that are unobtrusive and fit into the routine of every day life? How about a system that can help several caregivers adapt to the schedule without too much explanation?

Pill Boxes

The most common type of medication system is the simple box with slots for different times of day. Caregivers sort out medications generally up to one week in advance and place it in the correct slot. At the appropriate time, the patient or the caregiver can tell at a moment’s glance which medicines need to be taken when.

Pill boxes can be purchased at almost any store, whether it’s your local drug store or your larger discount stores. Depending on the number of doses needed every day will determine the type purchases. Cost isn’t generally a factor since these are the least expensive option on the market today, starting generally at less than $10.

There are electronic pill boxes that can sound an alarm and store medications at the same time. These are more expensive depending on the brand ordered and the number of features required by the patient for their medication system.

Reminder Alarms

There are a variety of reminder alarms on the market today. These can range from a watch that the patient or caregiver wears with alarms that sound at various times throughout the day to computer software that can be programmed to let people know when it is time to take the medication.

Watches can be programmed with specific medication information, patient’s name, doctor’s name, and a variety of other information depending on the type of watch ordered. Alarms can be set to vibrate or emit an electronic alarm when it is time to take a new medicine.

Patients who may have difficulty seeing smaller print may have difficulty with this type of reminder. In addition, the elderly are sometimes bothered by electronic beeps emitted by some of these watches, so this may be a factor when making this decision.

Other electronic alarms can look similar to an alarm clock and have settings for several different medications. These need to be programmed in advance by the caregiver so that the patient is not easily confused by the device. One alarm vibrates strong enough when placed inside a pillowcase that it will wake the patient to remind them that they need to take medication.

Another option is a pager device that when set, can sound an alarm or vibrate to remind patients to take their medications. Pagers generally have a larger digital read-out than does a watch, so this option may work better for sight-impaired patients.

Software systems may work well for caregivers who are computer-savvy and have time to devote to managing the system. In addition, some software programs on the market can show trends in giving medication and offer report features that allow physicians to track compliance to dosing instructions. Specialized software, however, may not be needed, as a simple calendar function can offer the ability to remind caregivers when medicines need to be administered. As with any other medication system, software needs to be programmed in order to be utilized effectively.

Electronic reminder systems are relatively inexpensive, but not generally covered by insurance. Prices can start as low as $35 for alarms and depending on the number of features needed, the price will increase proportionately. There are numerous websites that carry these products so that consumers on a limited income can make wise decisions with their shopping dollars.

Pill Dispensers

Finally, there are options for individuals who want to not only program a reminder, but dispense the medications at the same time. This may be an excellent option for the caregiver who is away from the home at various times of the day. It helps remind the patient when to take the necessary medications, yet it also serves to dispense the medications at the same time. There are no bottles to sift through and no opportunity to take too much or not enough of a particular medication. Some dispensers can even accept liquid medications.

Dispensers are the most expensive option on the market, however, and may not easily fit into every budget. Programming needs to be done in advance and the caregiver will want to monitor the system to be certain that it is working correctly before depending on it for dispensing medication while they are away for an extended period.

Also, the dispenser may or may not be portable within the house as they often require an outlet rather than batteries. Some of these can also be remotely monitored to ensure patient compliance and to be certain that the dispenser is working properly. Remote monitoring is generally available for a monthly subscription. In order to provide remote monitoring, a phone outlet is needed as well.

Depending on the situation in the home, there are a variety of options available on the market. If caregiving is provided remotely or dispersed throughout the day, it may be more expensive to purchase a pill dispenser. On the other hand, some caregivers prefer the peace of mind that it provides.

Likewise, some patients prefer a smaller, more discrete option that a watch or pager provides. Pill boxes work well for many patients who need only to have the medication separated for them and they can take them on the needed schedule. Some caregivers prefer a written schedule, and thus, can take advantage of software systems that are available today. Designing the medication system in advance will help the caregiver and patient decide which reminder system will work in the household.

If you have additional questions or need for in home assistance, contact Spaid Nursing Service at (502) 637-5474.

In addition to finding that this marks the 10th year in a row that U.S. deaths rates have declined, the study also found some other interesting news regarding death rates:

-Age-adjusted death rates declined significantly for 10 of the 15 leading causes of death in 2009:

> heart disease (declined by 3.7 percent),
> cancer (1.1 percent),
> chronic lower respiratory diseases (4.1 percent),
> stroke (4.2 percent),
> accidents/unintentional injuries (4.1 percent),
> Alzheimer’s disease (4.1 percent),
> diabetes (4.1 percent),
> influenza and pneumonia (4.7 percent),
> septicemia (1.8 percent), and
> homicide (6.8 percent).

-Overall, there were 2,436,682 deaths in the United States in 2009 – 36,336 fewer than in 2008 (1.5 percent decrease).

Additionally, according to the report, in the U.S., African-American men also tend to die younger than men overall, but for the first time life expectancy for black males has reached 70 years.

Doctors say that not only is lifespan increasing, but more important, the “active” lifespan is increasing as well:

“The most noteworthy aspect about all this is not just that people are living longer but living better,” said Dr. Gary Kennedy, director of geriatric psychiatry at Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx, N.Y. “At the same time, people are living a longer active lifespan. Seniors are healthier, more active and economically better off than they ever have been.”

However, despite the gains, U.S. life expectancy still lags behind many other countries. According to the World Health Organization, 14 countries in 2007 had life expectancies of at least 81 years, including Japan (83), Australia and Italy (82) and France, Israel, Singapore and Spain (81).

For more information on helping seniors remain healthy and independent in their home, contact Spaid Nursing Service at (502) 637-5474.

What are the warning signs of stroke or TIA? You may have some or all of these symptoms:

Unable to feel one side of the face or body

Sudden weakness in an arm, hand, or leg

Confusion

Trouble speaking

Dizziness or loss of balance

Sudden onset of a terribly painful headache

Unable to see out of one eye or double vision

If we as caregivers recognize these warning signs and take action quickly, we could save the life of the person we are caring for or prevent a bad stroke.

A healthy lifestyle is important in possible stroke prevention, which means reducing the known factors. Uncontrolled high blood pressure, heart disease and smoking are major causes of stroke.

High blood pressure can be reduced by:

Losing weight if it is necessary

Eating a healthy diet low in salt and fat

Becoming more active

Limiting alcohol intake to no more than 2 drinks per day

Taking medicine the way it is prescribed by your doctor

Heart and blood vessel problems develop when arteries that feed blood to the heart and brain slowly become clogged with a buildup of cells, fat and cholesterol. When the blood cannot get through, you could have a heart attack or stroke.

Heart disease may be prevented by:

Stopping smoking

Lowering your blood pressure

Eating a healthy diet

Being physically active

Getting regular medical checkups

Quitting smoking will dramatically reduce your risk of having a stroke. Although it is difficult, there are measures to help cope with the stress of not smoking. You can write down the reasons why you quit and look at the list often. You may also want to go places where there is no smoking allowed. For more information, contact the American Heart Association for tips on how to quit smoking.

A healthy diet and regular exercise program help reduce chances of an attack also. As caregivers, knowing the warning signs and encouraging a healthy lifestyle is the best armor in the battle to save our care recipients—and ourselves–from having a major stroke.
For more information on stroke prevention or assistance with care following a stroke- contact Spaid Nursing Service at (502) 637-5474

By Elizabeth Landau, CNN April 27, 2011 7:51 a.m. EDT

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

· Seth Rogen’s fiancee’s mother, 59, has Alzheimer’s disease

· About 5.4 million people in the United States suffer from Alzheimer’s disease

· There are nearly 15 million unpaid caregivers

Larry King returns to CNN with a look at how people cope with Alzheimer’s disease. Don’t miss”Unthinkable: The Alzheimer’s Epidemic,” at 8 ET Sunday night on CNN.

(CNN) — Seth Rogen may be known for starring in some raunchy comedies, but there’s one issue he doesn’t take lightly: Alzheimer’s disease.

The condition hits close to home because of his future mother-in-law, who is only 59 and has already had it for several years. And now Rogen, who has no family history of the disease, has become passionate about supporting his fiancee’s family and spreading awareness of Alzheimer’s.

“I think until you see it firsthand, it’s kind of hard to conceive of how brutal it is,” Rogen told CNN on Tuesday. “Until I saw it, you just don’t get kind of how heartbreaking it can be.”

Rogen and his fiancee, Lauren Miller, previously spoke with Larry King for “A Larry King Special, Unthinkable: The Alzheimer’s Epidemic,” which airs Sunday at 8 p.m. ET.

Their story is just one example of the ripple effects of the emotional stress brought on from this disease.

“I just try to be as around as possible, as emotionally available as possible,” Rogen told CNN Tuesday.

About 5.4 million people in the United States suffer from Alzheimer’s disease, according to the Alzheimer’s Association. By the middle of the century, 16 million people are expected to have the condition.

3 stages of Alzheimer’s diagnosis introduced

But the effect is even more far-reaching than just patients. There are nearly 15 million unpaid caregivers, not counting the rest of the family and friends who tirelessly provide support even though no prevention, treatment or cure has been found. The disease is fatal. The average length of the disease is four to eight years, although some people can live with it for 20 years.

And caregivers are providing 17 billion hours of unpaid care each year, at an annual cost of $206 billion, according to the Alzheimer’s Association’s most recent report.

Shriver: A woman’s nation takes on Alzheimer’s

Alzheimer’s disease is the sixth leading cause of death in the U.S., and one in eight older Americans has it. Often the first symptoms include problems remembering names and recent events. As the disease progresses, the patient’s confusion gets worse, and he or she might have difficulty with basic functions such as walking, speaking and swallowing. Some patients become violent, making caregiving even harder.

Given the family history of Rogen’s fiancee, the cause seemed obvious when Miller’s mother started showing symptoms. Both of Miller’s grandparents had Alzheimer’s disease; her grandfather showed signs in his 50s. Miller’s mother was 55 when the family found out she had Alzheimer’s disease.

When symptoms begin before 65

“She’d forget a story that I’d told her, forget that she spoke with someone. So it was pretty clear to us what was going on,” Miller told King.

Most Alzheimer’s patients are 65 or older, but the condition can strike much earlier. Having a parent, brother or sister with the condition raises your risk of developing it yourself; two first-degree relatives would raise that risk. There’s also a particular gene that ups the chance that you’ll get it. None of these factors is destiny, so it’s hard to predict with certainty who will develop the disease.

“The biggest misconception is that it’s this vague old-people disease that happens to old people,” Rogen said.

Rogen, who has known Miller for six years, has also noticed her mother’s decline. She had a lot of difficulty carrying on conversations and seemed to worsen even after a few months had gone by. She had more and more trouble accessing words, he told King.

Alzheimer’s drug ineffective for mild cases

Miller’s father retired to take care of her at home. He cooks, cleans and does her hair every morning. Miller said her mother still knows her, but she struggles with Miller’s father sometimes.

“He takes her shopping if she needs something to wear. And my dad does not like shopping,” Miller said. “I don’t think you are 62 years old and, you know, one day out of retirement think that you’re going to be taking care of your spouse with Alzheimer’s.”

Miller’s mother doesn’t lose her temper, but she does get so confused that she doesn’t know why people are trying to help her, the couple told King. Rogen told CNN that Miller’s mother seems to get particularly disoriented after traveling from the East Coast to the West Coast, so Rogen and Miller try to go to her instead.

Having your relationship with a person change dramatically as he or she forgets events, information and even your name can be an emotional shock, says Beth Kallmyer, director of client and information services at the Alzheimer’s Association.

Some people feel they don’t know how to interact with an Alzheimer’s patient, and withdraw because they don’t want to see their friend or relative in such a state.

But Rogen doesn’t feel uncomfortable with Miller’s mother and described her as “easy to be around.”

“I understand that she’s going through something that I can’t even conceive of what it’s like to go through,” Rogen said.

Besides providing emotional support for Miller, he has also given financial help to her family for medical and other expenses.

Caregivers should educate themselves about the disease and establish a support network, Kallmyer said.

Leeza Gibbons’ advice to caregivers: Breathe, believe, receive

“You can’t do this alone. It takes too much out of you. You want to build a care team educated about the disease so that you know what to expect,” she said.

Other people in Rogen’s position, who want to help out but aren’t the primary caregiver, should find out from the person closest to the patient what makes the patient happy and what makes him or her upset, Kallmyer said. They should also ask directly what the caregiver needs most.

Commonly, caregivers just need a break, she said. Often, a helpful gesture for a family dealing with this disease is to step in and do something with the Alzheimer’s patient while the caregiver takes care of matters in his or her own life.

“One of the most important things a caregiver can do is ask for help,” she said.

Talking about the disease has proved helpful for Miller’s family, Rogen said.

“Once you get over the instinct to not talk about it, there are a lot of people who are a lot more supportive than you might imagine,” Rogen said.

If you or a family member have questions concerning caregiving for Alzheimer’s patient, please call Spaid Nursing Service for information on our services to the Louisville, Kentucky area at (502) 637-5474.

The truth is that a dangerous fall is no laughing matter. The National Institutes of Health says that falls are the leading cause of fatal and non-fatal injuries in people 65 and older. In the United States, more than one-third of adults age 65 and over fall each year. Of those who fall, 20 percent to 30 percent will experience serious injuries, such as head trauma, broken bones, or hip fractures.

Hip fractures alone are a serious problem. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons has estimated that 90 percent of the 352,000 hip fractures recorded in the U.S. each year are the result of a fall. Only a quarter of hip fracture patients make a full recovery. About 40 percent will require nursing home care, half will need a cane or walker and another quarter over age 50 will die within a year of the injury. In fact, the rate of hip fractures begins to increase at age 50 and doubles every five to six years. Women over 50 suffer such fractures at two to three times the rate of men.

Those who are not injured during a fall may develop a fear of falling, which may increase their actual risk of falling. Many people limit their activities after a fall, which may reduce their strength, physical fitness, and mobility.

Aging can bring changes in vision, hearing, reflexes, and muscle strength. These physical changes may make people more likely to fall. Older adults may have disorders that affect their coordination and balance, such as arthritis, vertigo, cognitive impairment, diabetes, or cardiovascular disease.

The good news is that there are simple things you can do to help prevent most falls. Falls and accidents seldom “just happen”. The more you take care of your overall health and well-being, the more likely you’ll be to lower your chances of falling. Here are a few suggestions to help prevent falls:

1. Have your vision and hearing tested often. Even small changes in sight and hearing can make you less stable. You may be wearing the wrong glasses or have a condition like glaucoma or cataracts that limits your vision. So, for example, if your eye doctor orders new eyeglasses, take time to get used to them, and always wear them when you should or, if you need a hearing aid, be sure it fits well.

2. Have your health care provider review all the medicines you take, even over-the-counter medications. As you get older, the way medicines work in your body can change. Some medications, or combinations of medicines, can make you sleepy or dizzy and can cause you to fall. And be sure to take your prescribed medications in the dosage and frequency your physician has ordered.

3. Talk with your physician and plan an exercise program that is right for you. Exercise is one of the most important ways to lower your chances of falling, as well as preventing many of the health problems that come with age.

4. Limit the amount of alcohol you drink. Even a small amount can affect your balance and reflexes.

5. Always stand up slowly after eating, lying down, or resting. Getting up too quickly can cause your blood pressure to drop, which can make you feel faint.

6. Don’t let your home get too cold or too hot . . . it can make you dizzy. In the summer—if your home is not air-conditioned—keep cool with an electric fan, drink lots of liquids, and limit exercise. In the winter, keep the nighttime temperature at 65° or warmer.

7. Use a cane, walking stick, or walker to help you feel steadier when you walk. This is very important when you’re walking in areas you don’t know well or in places where the walkways are uneven. And be very careful when walking on wet or icy surfaces. They can be very slippery! Have sand or salt spread on icy areas.

8. Wear rubber-soled, low-heeled shoes that fully support your feet. Wearing only socks or shoes with smooth soles on stairs or waxed floors can be unsafe.

9. Hold the handrails when you use the stairs. If you must carry something while you’re going up or down, hold it in one hand and use the handrail with the other.

10. Don’t take chances. Stay away from a freshly washed or waxed floor. And don’t stand on a chair or table to reach something that’s too high—use a “reach stick” instead. Reach sticks are special grabbing tools that you can buy at many hardware or most medical supply stores.

11. Find out about buying a home monitoring system service. Usually, you wear a button on a chain around your neck. If you fall or need emergency help, you just push the button to alert the service. Emergency staff is then sent to your home. You can find local “medical alarm” services in your yellow pages

12. Make your home safer-about half of all falls happen at home.

• Remove things you can trip over (such as papers, books, clothes, and shoes) from stairs and places where you walk.
• Remove small throw rugs or use double-sided tape to keep the rugs from slipping.
• Keep items you use often in cabinets you can reach easily without using a step stool.
• Have grab bars put in next to your toilet and the tub or shower.
• Use non-slip mats in the bathtub and on shower floors.
• Improve the lighting in your home. As you get older, you need brighter lights to see well. Lamp shades or frosted bulbs can reduce glare.
• Have handrails and lights put in on all staircases.

For more information on helping seniors remain safe and independent at home, please contact Spaid Nursing Service at (502) 637-5474.

• Decline in upkeep of house. Changes in housekeeping may occur if the senior is physically tired or suffering from depression.

• Weight loss or loss of interest in meals. Seniors living alone can become discouraged by tasks such as cooking and may not be eating properly.

• Forgetting to take medications. Because seniors often take multiple medications for various health conditions, they may need reminders to take medications to avoid confusion and missing key doses.

• Household bills not being paid. Seniors may feel overwhelmed by once routine tasks of opening and responding to mail and paying bills.

• Declining personal hygiene. Changes in personal appearance, such as unkempt hair and body odor, failing to change clothes for lengthy periods or wearing clothes inappropriate for the weather, are among the most obvious signs that a senior needs assistance.

• Declining driving skills. Evidence of parking or speeding tickets, fender-benders, dents and scratches on the car.

• Scorched pots and pans. Cooking utensils left unattended on stove top amy be a sing of short-term memory loss or even Alzheimer’s disease.

• Signs of depression. Feelings of hopelessness and despair, listlessness, fewer visits with friends and family, a change in sleeping patterns and a lack of interest in usual hobbies and activities are indicators of depression.

• Reluctance to leave the house. Rather than ask for help, seniors who are having trouble with activities such as walking, remembering and hearing will pull away from their community and isolate themselves.

• Missed doctors’ appointments and social engagements. These can be signs of depression or forgetfulness.

If you have questions concerning any of the above, or about in home care services in general, please contact Spaid Nursing Service at (502) 637-5474.

In-home care can provide a smooth transition as an individual’s independence becomes more challenging. Many seniors simply don’t want to live anywhere but home.  And home care can start with simple assistance with routine items such as meal preparation or light housekeeping, and gradually move to more comprehensive care that requires health care expertise.

Since the In-Home Care provider comes to your home, seniors are able to continue living independently in familiar surroundings.  The comfort of living in your own home cannot be understated, as a person’s happiness can have a direct effect on their health.

Additionally, your home health care provider can provide much needed companionship for seniors who live alone. This is a wonderful benefit for both the senior and his/her children. After all, it can provide great peace of mind when you know your parent isn’t lonely and has the help they need.

When a parent’s needs elevate, and a qualified medical professional is required, some home health care companies can provide more extensive nursing care inside the home.

“Our services are personalized and tailored to meet individual needs, “ says Cheryl Rich of Spaid Nursing, a Louisville, Kentucky home health care company. “ As needs change, we have the resources to adapt to those changes. We can provide both professional nurses and certified caregivers in the home. This allows the level of care to change as the client’s condition changes.”

Among the non-medical needs that a home health care company can help with:

• Acting as a liaison between client, family and service providers (i.e. physicians, home health agencies, trust officers, insurance companies, pharmacies and medical equipment companies).
• Providing assistance with safety and personal care such as bathing, dressing and grooming.
• Supervising and assisting with daily household activities (i.e. meals, light housekeeping, laundry and errands).
• Promoting a safe living environment.
• Arranging for transportation to doctor appointments, errands and social functions.
• Monitoring of medication schedules.
• Providing warm and caring companionship.

For those, who have medical needs, a higher level of professional care giver is available for those needing more extensive nursing care within the home. Some examples of the types of cases home care companies can handle include:

• Long term ventilator care
• Tracheostomy Care
• Acute and Chronic Wound Care
• Medical care for Neurological Disorders
• Feeding tubes and medication ports
• Paraplegia and quadriplegia clients
• Infusion therapy, including peripherally inserted central catheters

In conclusion, seniors now have many choices in how to live their sunset years.  Receiving in-home care from a reputable home health care company is certainly a great option for those who want to remain where they are comfortable.