When families have to come together to make decisions about elderly care for an aging loved one, there are several choices to make. Even if you wish to provide the bulk of the in-home care yourself, respite care is an important thing to include in your plan. No caregiver can provide care without a break and still provide the kind of support he or she wants to give a loved one. An in-home caregiver in Memphis can help you be the best caregiver you can by providing respite care.

Respite care is a short-term relief to caregivers that allows them to focus on their own well-being, while feeling confident that their loved ones needs are being met. An elder care provider can provide respite care so you can have a lunch with a friend, an afternoon on your own, or a vacation with your family. Respite care can also help you keep up work duties or even catch up on sleep. It is an important way of caring for your own wellbeing, so you can then care for your loved one.

When a loved one needs hospice care in Memphis because he or she is approaching the end of life, there can be anxiety, particularly among family members, about what to expect. What this video for insight into what may happen at the end of life.

One researcher who has looked extensively into the dying process has found that most people receiving end of life care experience a sense of peace. Family members usually find that being present for end of life care and seeing a loved one pass is a moving experience that brings closeness and closure. Overall, hospice care and the end of life process can be an important time for family members to spend together, and most terminally ill people are peaceful, not fearful, of the process.

Good nutrition is important for seniors, but those with dementia often experience challenges getting the right nutrients. This may be because seniors living with dementia may have a reduced appetite, be too distracted at mealtimes, or have problems feeding themselves. If you’re concerned about your loved one’s health, consider talking to a home health aide near Memphis. Specialized elder care services are available for individuals with dementia, including assistance with meal preparation and feeding.

Poor Appetite

Elder care providers can assist your loved one with a decline in appetite. Among seniors with dementia, poor appetite is often attributable to poorly fitted dentures, changes in medications, and the lack of sufficient exercise. Some people may not want to eat because they no longer recognize the food or because they no longer have a strong sense of taste and smell. It may be helpful to serve five or six smaller meals instead of three main meals. Preparing the individual’s favorite foods and encouraging him or her to move a little more may both help improve his or her appetite.

Mealtime Distractions

Individuals with dementia have trouble with stimulating environments. They may have trouble eating if there are too many distractions present, which can inhibit their ability to get all the nutrients they need . Elder care providers often prefer to keep the television and radio turned off during mealtimes. It can also be helpful to eliminate clutter to encourage a calm environment. For example, it’s best to remove the vase of flowers or bowl of fruit from the table during mealtimes. Only set down the plate of food, a napkin, and needed utensils.

Feeding Problems

It may take an hour or longer for an individual with dementia to consume a meal. Fortunately, dementia care providers have plenty of time to sit with the individual and keep him or her company while eating. It’s generally preferable to allow the individual to retain as much independence as possible while eating, even if self-feeding becomes messy. The caregiver may serve bite-sized finger foods to encourage the individual’s self-feeding abilities. During the mid-to late stages of dementia, it can be helpful to prepare foods in a way that minimizes difficulty chewing and swallowing, such as by grinding up foods or serving soft foods.

The team at Caring Companions has been caring for elders in Memphis and the surrounding areas for more than 14 years. Our mission is to improve quality of life for the families that we work with. The work that we do is much more than a job; our caregivers view elder care as a ministry of service to others.

When you watch this video, you’ll hear from Renee Smith, the owner of Caring Companions, who explains our respite care services available to family caregivers. You’ll also hear from one of our in-home caregivers and from a family who is receiving services. Our in-home care services provide so much more than just practical assistance; they also offer loving kindness and companionship.

When your senior loved one requires assistance after an illness or medical procedure, the stress of making decisions and planning for their needs can be difficult for your family. When deciding on transitional senior care services serving Memphis, there are a few things you can do to help the planning process go smoothly among your family members.

Begin preparing and reach a decision as quickly as possible.

Starting the planning process early is one of the best things that you can do to make the transition to in-home care less stressful for all involved. If your family members are in disagreement about the best strategy for providing your senior loved one with help, starting early and working continuously to make a decision is ideal. Once you realize that your loved one may need help at home, begin the discussion and talk with your family until you can reach a conclusion. Doing this can help you avoid being left without a plan or many options once your loved one is ready to come home.

Explain to your family that change is necessary.

In many cases, families disagree about assisted living options because they dislike the idea of someone that they don’t know caring for their loved one. Making it clear to everyone why your loved one needs help and why you and other family members might not be able to provide her with everything that she needs during this period can help those in disagreement gain a better understanding of the situation.

Compare the benefits of different transitional care plans.

There are many types of elder care programs available, and choosing the one best suited for your loved one can be challenging. First, speak with the senior to determine how she feels about having assistance at home. Next, talk to her doctors to learn what she will require help with during her recovery time. Once you know what needs will have to be addressed, you and your family can discuss transitional care plans with a better understanding of what support your loved one requires during this critical time.

Caring for a senior loved one can be a rewarding, but challenging responsibility. If you are caring for an aging loved one, you may benefit from senior assisted living services in Memphis. As a caregiver, it’s vital to be aware of your limits. Caring for a senior family member requires significant time and effort, and can be both physically and emotionally draining. Luckily, there are many places that caregivers can turn to for support.

If you find yourself struggling with an aspect of your caregiving responsibilities, talk to your friends and family members. Also, your church or place of worship, therapists and counselors, and national caregiver associations are valuable resources to turn to for advice.

When you need more time to take care of yourself or your family, it’s important that you don’t hesitate to ask for help. Speak with other family members about how they can contribute, and consider hiring an in-home caregiver for assistance. Other options include respite care, assisted living communities, and elder care services. Remember that asking for help can improve the quality of life for both you and your loved one.

If a senior member of your family is receiving end-of-life care in Memphis, you may be wondering how to speak to their grandchildren about the situation. While concealing the nature of a loved one’s illness and passing may seem like it would be beneficial for children, experts agree that not speaking to children clearly about their grandparent’s end-of-life care can cause them to feel frightened and confused.

Be Open

Losing a family member is difficult for both you and your children. You may find it challenging to speak openly with children about your parent’s hospice care, but doing so can make the process easier for everyone. It’s recommended that you introduce the idea of death while the grandparent is still ailing, instead of after his passing.

Use Examples

You can begin the conversation by talking about the loss of a pet, or simply use a dead plant or insect as an example. By explaining that death means the end of life and that every living creature passes on one day, you can present the concept in a way that is easier for children to understand. Remember to keep words and descriptions simple, and to not go into detail about your parent’s particular illness.

Remain Direct

Your child will probably have questions about their grandparent’s hospice care. Try to answer inquiries directly, and without displaying too much grief or emotion. Experts advise that you give your child simple but honest responses to their questions, and to avoid telling them fairy tales. It’s okay to say that you don’t know all of the answers to their questions, rather than confuse them about the nature of death.

Allow Communication

Depending on your particular situation and the health of your elder loved one, you should allow your children to spend as much time with their grandparent as they would like. After talking to them about death, they may be scared to see their grandparent initially, but short visits can help ease their fears and allow them to better cope with the loss of their loved one.

Elder care in Memphis is dedicated to even more than health care support and companionship . As you will learn in this video, teaching your senior loved one to use technology can offer invaluable support, helping to improve his or her quality of life tremendously.

An assisted living facility prioritizes teaching seniors how to use technology. Seniors are often ill-equipped to navigate the Internet or use new cell phones, which is why a caregiver agency places so much importance on technology. As an assisted living aide knows firsthand, knowing how to use a cell phone can be the difference between life and death in a health emergency.

Alzheimer’s disease is one of the most common issues affecting seniors who require elderly care in Memphis. If your loved one has recently been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, it is essential to work with caregivers who specialize in dementia and memory care. Only an experienced team will be qualified to provide compassionate and effective support to individuals who suffer from dementia. Continue reading to learn more about Alzheimer’s disease progression and the symptoms that you might notice in each stage.

Early Stage

As an elderly care provider who cares for Alzheimer’s patients will tell you, the early stages of Alzheimer’s can vary. Alzheimer’s disease usually begins with changes in a patient’s behavior that are so minor that they may go unnoticed. The most common early symptom of Alzheimer’s is loss of memory of recent events. Alzheimer’s patients may initially struggle to recall something that happened the day or week before and may also have a hard time learning new information. Confusion is another common change during the early stage.

Middle Stage

An Alzheimer’s caregiver cautions family members to watch for more marked changes during the middle stage of Alzheimer’s. At this point, a patient will likely need help with their normal daily activities. An in-home caregiver may be employed to provide support with cooking, cleaning, dressing, and bathing. Alzheimer’s patients generally become more forgetful as time goes on and may struggle to remember words or names. During this moderate stage, an Alzheimer’s patient may also get frustrated or angry as they sense their loss of control.

Late Stage

During the late stages of Alzheimer’s, a patient will likely need senior assisted living services or professional in-home care. An Alzheimer’s patient may have a difficult time eating, swallowing, or controlling his or her bladder. Eventually, he or she may lose speech entirely, although a few words may still be uttered. Caretakers and the presence of family members are essential, as an Alzheimer’s patient still very much recognizes signs of love and affection even as memory suffers.

It can be very difficult to make the decision to seek in-home care near Memphis for your elderly loved one. At a certain point, however, your loved one may not be able to take care of himself safely or effectively. Here is a look at some of the signs that your loved one may need home care.

Inability to Regularly or Appropriately Groom or Feed Himself

One of the first signs that your loved one is unable to care for himself is that he exhibits a decline in personal hygiene. He may also be unable to prepare meals for himself, or may forget to eat. You may notice that he has lost weight, or looks tired and unhealthy. He may wear dirty or mismatched clothes, and have a strong body odor. A home health aide can assist your loved one with personal care and meal preparation to ensure he remains comfortable, happy, and healthy.

Household Chores and Bills Are Ignored

Another significant sign that you need the services of a home health agency is that your loved one’s household chores and bills are ignored. If you visit your loved one and there are dirty dishes piled in the sink, spoiled food in the refrigerator, animal feces in the house, laundry that has gone unwashed, and a stack of bills that haven’t been paid, these are signs that he is not living in a safe and comfortable environment. An in-home caregiver can perform routine household chores and will consult with you regarding bills your loved one receives so that you can make sure that they get paid.

Exhibits Mood Swings and Memory Loss

The primary symptoms of dementia and Alzheimer’s are progressively worsening memory loss, cognitive impairment, and behavioral changes or mood swings. Your loved one may lose interest in hobbies and activities that he previously enjoyed, or may exhibit signs of anxiety, depression, and exhaustion. He may forget important dates, appointments, or directions. Dementia home care allows your loved one to remain in a comfortable environment while receiving necessary elderly care.