Tag Archive for: home care

Senior woman smiling at the holiday dinner table with family

Simple Tips for Including Seniors in Holiday Fun

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Senior woman smiling at the holiday dinner table with family

Deck the halls while including seniors with these tips from our experts in home care and hospice care in Salt Lake City & nearby areas.

Even though the holiday season is commonly viewed as a time that is joyful, filled with spending time with family and friends who are near and dear to us and finding the perfect gifts, for older individuals, it can be anything but merry and bright. A mix of lost loved ones, memories of holidays past, health concerns and more can impact older adults with feelings of lonesomeness and sorrow.

At Harmony Home Health & Hospice, provider of in-home care and hospice care in Salt Lake City and surrounding communities, we care deeply about making sure that seniors feel included in the festivities and enjoy the holiday season to the fullest. The following tips can help everyone enjoy the wonder of the holiday season together:

  • Create a cookbook with recipes from all family members. Accumulate all the recipes together, and then make copies of your new family cookbook.
  • Go for a drive to enjoy holiday lights in the community your older family member grew up in.
  • If the senior has problems with setting up holiday decorations, offer to help! This is a wonderful way to share memories of past holidays and the stories behind different decorations.
  • For a holiday that is really relaxing, schedule time together at a local beauty shop or spa. You can even request a local beautician or masseuse to come to the senior’s home if it’s possible.

Safety precautions may also need to be considered for the senior, for a number of reasons: increased fall risks with all of the extra holiday decorations, challenges with following a prescribed dietary plan, and for those with dementia, interruption to routine, additional visitors in the home, and higher noise levels can all cause stress.

Keep the following in mind to be sure your senior loved ones remain safe and content:

  • Keep decoration safety in mind. Ensure that there are clear walking paths, and try to make use of simple, uncluttered decorations.
  • Lower lighting can conceal things that seniors could possibly trip over, such as extension cords.
  • Designate a quiet area for the older person if the enthusiasm of young children, loud music and activities become overwhelming.
  • Assign someone to be the older adult’s “buddy” for the event, making sure his or her needs are fully met and establishing a bond that is beneficial for both.

The holidays can certainly be fun and relaxing for all. With just a little pre-planning and additional thought, seniors will enjoy the holidays as much as everyone else, creating new memories that the whole family will take pleasure in and remember for a lifetime.

And, if in the middle of the holiday hustle and bustle you might like the help and support of a professional caregiver from Harmony Home Health & Hospice, provider of the best home health care and hospice care in Salt Lake City and nearby areas, is on hand to help! Contact us at 1-877-I-NEED-CARE to learn more about how we can brighten the holidays for you and yours and for more ideas for fun activities for elderly loved ones to enjoy this holiday season.

Senior making gingerbread houses with grandchild

Plan for a Cheerful Holiday Season with Senior Loved Ones

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Senior making gingerbread houses with grandchild

Use these tips from our experts in home care in Ogden & nearby areas to help make the holiday season with senior loved ones merry and bright.

The holidays are filled with celebrations, parties, and get-togethers. However, for an elderly loved one, holiday outings require a little supplemental planning. Follow these guidelines from  Harmony Home Health & Hospice’s experts in home care in Ogden and surrounding communities to enjoy relaxed and fun outings with family members of all ages this holiday season.

Prior to leaving the house, consider:

  • How much walking is required, and whether there will be parking close by
  • Whether the location is flat or has steps or hills to climb
  • Whether or not it is wheelchair-accessible (if appropriate)
  • If there is cover and shade
  • Where the bathroom facilities are
  • If there is seating available in the event that your loved one wants to rest

Be certain to prepare for a wide range of possible plan changes:

  • Have all necessary medicines on hand, and bring an extra supply, in case the outing takes longer or takes an unanticipated turn
  • Have appropriate clothing as well as rain and sun protection
  • Bring along snacks and drinks, in case of a delay

Need some holiday outing suggestions that older adults might enjoy? Take into consideration the following:

  • Go for a relaxing family drive to see the area holiday lights
  • If it’s possible and welcomed, invite the senior to your home to help with decorating for the holidays
  • Take the older adult to a holiday party at the local senior center
  • Go to community plays; in addition to the local theater, there are affordably priced plays and shows presented at local schools

When engaging in any holiday activities for older adults, take things slow and create a relaxing environment to make sure the senior is comfortable and content. The home health care team at Harmony Home Health & Hospice can offer support by increasing your loved one’s independence while providing exceptional home care in Ogden and nearby areas during the holidays and throughout the rest of the year! Reach out to our dedicated senior care professionals at 1-877-I-NEED-CARE to discover more. See the full list of areas we serve throughout the Ogden, UT area here.

Adaptive Equipment for the Elderly

Covering the Cost of Adaptive Equipment for the Elderly

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Adaptive Equipment for the Elderly

Costs for adaptive equipment for the elderly can be reduced or covered in a variety of cases.

Could your senior loved one could benefit from additional safety in the shower or tub? Does he/she require a walker or rollator to move around? If that’s the case, it’s quite possible that you’ll soon be looking to purchase the in-home adaptive devices that so many families count on to keep senior loved ones safe. It’s also likely that you’re wondering how to cover the expense for these types of adaptive equipment for the elderly, and if any of them may be covered through Medicare or insurance.

Like home care services, there are a variety of different options when it comes to purchasing the home care supplies and equipment to keep older adults safe. Following are just a few of the possibilities available to help you or a loved one in acquiring durable medical equipment.

Medicare

If the older person has Medicare Part A and is eligible for the Home Health Benefit, then Medicare will cover 80 percent of the permissible cost for medically required durable medical equipment. If an older person is covered by Medicare Part B, he/she is not required to qualify for the Home Health Benefit, and Medicare will cover 80 percent of the admissible amount for medically necessary durable medical equipment.

Veterans’ Administration (VA)

The Veterans’ Administration is especially helpful in furnishing durable medical equipment to people who qualify. Veterans or the spouse of a veteran may be qualified for benefits.

Other Methods to Pay for Home Care Equipment

If an individual does not qualify for Medicare or to receive benefits from the Veterans’ Administration, there are several other methods to help cover the expense for home care products to keep older adults safe. Below are a few tips for making use of long-term care or health insurance and private finances to afford the equipment needed:

Long-Term Care Insurance/Health Insurance

If the devices or supplies needed are medically necessary, they might be partly covered by some private insurance providers. Coverage is either based on the person’s policy, or, if the person seeking coverage is a dependent, then the family policy should be examined for specifics on dependent coverage.

Remember, though, that while having your insurance provider cover some of the costs may seem like the best idea, it might be possible to find the products you need at an “out of network” supplier with a more reduced price.

Private Finances

If your senior loved one is in need of home care equipment that is not covered by private insurance, think about looking into equipment rental solutions or formerly owned items such as wheelchairs, scooters and accessible vans. Pre-owned equipment may be found in disability publications as well as on websites such as www.Craigslist.org, www.ebay.com, and www.unitedaccess.com.

If you would like additional assistance either in selecting or purchasing home care equipment and other adaptive devices for a loved one, contact the Salt Lake City home care team at Harmony Home Health & Hospice today. We can provide an in-home assessment, make equipment recommendations, arrange for order and delivery, and answer any other home health care questions you may have. For more information about our top-rated home health care and home hospice care in Salt Lake City and the surrounding area, contact us online or call us at 1-877-I-NEED-CARE (1-877-463-3322). To see our full service area in Utah and New Mexico, click here.

Assistive Devices for the Elderly

Assistive Devices for the Elderly: Insider Tips to Increase Safety and Comfort at Home

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Assistive Devices for the Elderly

Assistive devices for the elderly provide safety and help seniors remain at home.

Throughout growing older, assistive devices for the elderly can make day-to-day life around the house easier and safer. There’s a large selection of assistive equipment solutions for home care available today to choose from. At Harmony Home Health & Hospice, the top-rated Salt Lake City home health care providers, we want to provide you with some insider tips for picking out and using some of the most widely used assistive devices for the elderly.

Commodes  

A commode can be used in place of both an elevated toilet seat and a toilet safety frame, and also has the additional benefit of being movable, so can be used separately beside the senior’s bed as well.

Suggestions for buying:

  • Try to choose one that includes non-removable armrests and rubber tips on the legs as opposed to wheels, and examine for durability.
  • Choose a commode that comes with both a pail (including a lid) and a sleeve (for use over the toilet).

Rollators

A rollator is a 4-wheeled walker that has brakes, a seat, and a basket. Rollators work very well, both in the house and outside, provide a seat when the senior needs to rest, and the basket allows users to carry items with them, keeping their hands free to guide the rollator.

Suggestions for buying:

  • Bigger wheels are recommended, as they roll more easily on uneven ground and are overall sturdier.
  • Select a compact, folding design so that it can fit in the trunk of a car.
  • Test out the brakes prior to purchasing to make sure that they are not rigid or challenging to engage.
  • Choose a rollator with a seat cushion for added comfort.
  • Models that allow easy access to the basket while in the typical walking position are preferred.

Shower bench vs. shower board

A shower bench is useful for older adults who feel unsafe when lifting their legs over the side of the tub and considerably lowers the risk of falling when getting in and out of the bathtub.

The primary perks of shower benches over shower boards are that they come with backrests and are height adaptable. Having a taller surface makes standing up from a seated position easier, and backrests offer more support to older adults who tire more easily. Shower boards can also be challenging to fit correctly to a tub.

Suggestions for buying:

  • Select a shower bench that includes a handle and backrest that can be modified to fit different sizes and types of bathtubs.
  • Be sure to also invest in a high quality hand-held sprayer that connects to the faucet and is simple to use.

For more guidelines and insight on in-home assistive equipment products, or for home care services to help your loved one enjoy a better quality of life and boost senior safety in the home, contact Harmony Home Health & Hospice online or call us at 1-877-I-NEED-CARE (1-877-463-3322). To see our full service area, click here.

Living With a Chronic Illness

Finding Joy When Living With a Chronic Illness

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Living With a Chronic Illness

Living with a chronic illness doesn’t mean that life lacks joy and purpose.

Have you ever started your day and figured, “It’s probably going to be one of those days!” Maybe your alarm didn’t go off, the hot water heater opted to stop working, and the dog chewed up one of your favorite shoes overnight. Then imagine if every day were “one of those days!” For someone living with a chronic illness (and that is much of the senior population), daily struggles and challenges may be a given.

Yet there are numerous steps that older adults can take to realize and maintain a life of joy, even throughout the face of chronic illness. For instance:

  • Follow passions. Finding purpose and meaning in each day is essential – and attainable. Many older adults find happiness in assisting and supporting other people. Others thrive on being lifelong learners. For some it can mean recording the past for the following generation. Brainstorm ideas until you arrive at one that ignites passion, and then make it a reality.
  • Practice positivity. One good way to produce a more positive outlook on life is through journaling. Encourage your elder family members to begin every day by writing a summary of everything they’re grateful for that morning, including the relatively ordinary: the smell of fresh coffee brewing, a dog curled up in a sunbeam, an upcoming lunch date with a relative. At the end of each week, sit together and read back through the earlier entries for a quick and practical pick-me-up.
  • Avoid negativity. Adding in a measure of positivity as mentioned above can naturally lead to reduced negativity, but there are further strategies that may be taken as well. For instance, allow for breaks from activities that induce irritation, providing needed time to de-stress. Put the focus on dealing with tasks which can be accomplished successfully, and find an alternative solution for those that are too challenging, such as assigning those tasks to another family member or friend, or engaging the services of a specialist.
  • Get out of the house. Preserving as active a lifestyle as possible outside of the home is often so refreshing for seniors. Help your elder loved ones go out for hair appointments, shopping trips, visits with relatives, and other fun outings, as much as they are comfortable. Even simply going outdoors and relaxing on the front porch when weather allows can substantially boost someone’s frame of mind and outlook.

As the top providers of support for home hospice in Salt Lake City, Albuquerque and the surrounding areas, Harmony Home Health & Hospice aims to help older adults attain the best possible quality of life at all times. Our professionally trained and knowledgeable care team offers a wide variety of customized home health care solutions to ensure your loved one is safe, comfortable and healthy. Call us at 1-877-I-NEED-CARE (1-877-463-3322) and discover the difference our in-home health care services can make for your loved one!

Chronic Disease Management

Combining Health Care Goals with Chronic Disease Management for Seniors

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Chronic Disease Management

Chronic disease management should include identifying health care goals for seniors.

On the subject of chronic diseases, older adults are often the experts, hands down, with up to three out of four seniors affected by multiple conditions that are ongoing, call for long-term medical attention, and place limitations on activities. With the never-ending barrage of bloodwork and other medical tests, physicians’ appointments and procedures and medications, chronic disease management often takes both a physical and emotional toll, and may very quickly become overwhelming.

Dr. Mary Tinetti, chief of geriatrics and internist at Yale School of Medicine, said, “Once you get three, four, or five and six diseases, several things happen: Number one, almost guaranteed, trying to get one of these diseases under control is going to make one of the other diseases worse. Number two: The more we ask people to do, the more overwhelmed they get and the less they are likely to do.”

For these reasons, Dr. Tinetti has developed the Patient Priorities Care approach, with the objective to decrease the burden of treatment by empowering patients to communicate their personal health care goals – identifying what truly matters most to them. A plan of care will then be created to successfully meet those goals. For example, one person’s goal could possibly be to enhance quality of life during the short-term, whereas another individual may seek to improve longevity of life. Furthermore, it takes under consideration activities the individual enjoys and how to find the easiest way for him or her to continue to take part in them.

The Patient Priorities Care method builds upon the Minimally Disruptive Medicine strategy developed a decade ago, which also strives to help remedy the stress of chronic condition treatment, but which did not contain the key facet of incorporating feedback from patients to understand what means the most to them.

Ultimately, what many seniors discover is that they prefer to lessen “unwanted care,” which they understand requires significantly more personal energy than the benefit they are going to receive, such as diagnostic tests and procedures. To that end, aging adults and their loved ones can make the most of these beneficial resources to get more successful, self-directed care, such as a conversation guide, overview of health priorities, and much more.

As the most trusted provider of home nursing care in Salt Lake City and the surrounding areas, Harmony Home Health & Hospice is completely dedicated to understanding what is most essential to the older adults in our care, and to offering the degree of care which helps them to flourish and attain their goals. It is why our care is fully personalized, and always starts with learning as much as possible about each individual and what his or her goals encompass – and then developing a plan of care to help reach those goals. Call us at 1-877-I-NEED-CARE (1-877-463-3322) to learn more.

Diabetes Care Plan

Do You Have a Diabetes Care Plan? Make Sure It Includes These Tips!

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Diabetes Care Plan

Effective diabetes management begins with a diabetes care plan.

Effective diabetes management requires consistent, ongoing attention to numerous details—with the understanding that ignoring diabetes can result in serious health concerns, such as heart disease, high blood pressure and even diabetic coma. Thankfully, there are certain steps those with diabetes can take to reduce the stress of diabetes care and remain hopeful and healthy.

First and foremost, identify any barriers to care. Some of the obstacles faced that make diabetes care management a challenge include:

  • Not having sufficient information and education on proper diabetic care
  • Engaging in activities that might disrupt the diabetes care schedule
  • Finding excuses to avoid getting the right amount of exercise
  • Eating habits that may be driven by emotions rather than actual hunger
  • Depression and other emotional problems

Once these hurdles are overcome, be sure to consider the following in your diabetes care plan: 

Accept help. Family, friends and neighbors are often available to offer much-needed support. Diabetics need to be sure to let loved ones know what they need and what to watch for. A professional home health caregiver, such as those at Harmony Home Health & Hospice, is trained and experienced in diabetic care and can serve as an excellent resource for diabetes care support and encouragement.

Change your care focus. Although it’s true that proper diabetes care helps prevent diabetic complications, some people may find it challenging to maintain the necessary level of care based on this incentive alone. Consider other benefits that can help; for example, properly managing diabetes could lead to better agility on the basketball court, improved work productivity, and the ability to better enjoy favorite pastimes and interests.

Stick to your diabetes care plan. Creating a daily routine – and sticking to it – will help with better managing diabetes care. Remember to keep in mind how your plan will be affected if there are disruptions to the routine.

Remain positive. Negative self-talk can spiral into depression and feelings of helplessness, while positive self-talk is uplifting and offers solutions. Rather than saying to yourself, “I can never manage my diabetes—I guess I should just plan to always have health problems,” try thinking, “I didn’t pay enough attention to my portion sizes at dinner yesterday; that’s why my blood sugar was off. I need to plan ahead next time and make sure my portion sizes are in line with my meal plan, or utilize extra insulin if I eat more than I should have.”

For more help with creating or implementing an effective diabetes care plan, contact the experts in adult and pediatric hospice and home health at Harmony Home Health & Hospice. We’re always on hand to provide helpful resources and in-home health care services for those with diabetes or any other challenging health condition to improve quality of life. Call us at 1-877-I-NEED-CARE (1-877-463-3322) to learn more about our Salt Lake City in home care and the surrounding area we serve.