@Home Care Solutions

05/03/2015

Need affordable, reliable care for your loved one? Then look no further, our caregivers are CNA licensed or above and our rates average $8.50 - $10.00 per hour. Set up your free assessmet today!

06/16/2014

Caregiving Tips from the Pros: 8 Words of Advice

As a family caregiver, you play a vitally important role in the life of your aging loved one—a role that can also be overwhelming, exhausting and sometimes thankless. As our gift to you this season, and as an encouragement for all of the good work you are doing, we asked professional Caregivers to share their best advice with you. Here are eight of our favorites.

1. Take a break without feeling guilty.
“The one thing I would advise a family caregiver is to allow themselves respite time, at least a couple times each month, without feeling guilty. A refreshed caregiver is a much better provider of care when they themselves have taken a much needed break.”

2. Helping your loved one look good can help them feel good, too.
“Washing their hair, getting a trim or a haircut can vastly improve how they feel and see themselves. Update their clothes as their size changes or they lose a lot of weight. Purchasing two or three brightly colored, patterned ‘senior bibs’ or ‘painting smocks’ that can be put on and washed every day can also extend the life of their clothes.”

3. Give them the freedom to forget.
“Do not assume your family member remembers even the simple parts of life they've always known. Do not assume they like what they've always liked: music, television, current events, travel, past favorite foods, visiting in large groups of people. Do not assume they remember the person in church greeting them, or the neighbor next door, or even you. Allow them the space to remember and forget at their own pace.”

4. Call or visit regularly.
“In my years as a caregiver, I have found that most seniors who do not get out much usually experience loneliness. Their phone seldom rings and the television is often left on all day for company. They want to hear the sound of other voices but that doesn't take the place of visiting with other people or spending time out in public.” We suggest setting a specific day and time each week to call, to give your loved one something to look forward to. A simple letter or greeting card to let them know they are missed and loved can make their day and remind them that someone cares.

5. Allow them to change and accept when they do.
“Whether it’s a physical incapability or behavioral, realize that it is okay that your loved one is not the person you remember. Step back and realize the only way they can get peace is to let them be.”

6. Never make them feel incapable, or say “no” outright.
“Be considerate about things that may be embarrassing to them (e.g., helping them out of a wheelchair). Be as creative as you can be. If they’re confused about what is going on, ease the confusion by asking questions about their past and suggesting activities like going for a drive and pointing out all their favorite locations. Do what you can to make it feel like they weren’t denied anything.”

7. Be patient and respectful.
“Regardless of the reasons they need care, it is important to provide loved ones care in ways that are respectful of their dignity and independence. You need to be patient.”

8. Accept help.
“You need to take care of yourself to take care of someone else. If people offer to help, accept the help.”

Now that you’ve heard this advice, what advice could you share to help them? We’d love to hear your comments below!

06/16/2014

June is National Safety Month

Home Safety Considerations for Families Living with Alzheimer’s:

If you are part of a family living with Alzheimer’s disease, it’s important to remember that one of the keys to aging at home is doing so safely. A diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease does not have to signal the loss of independence and freedom. As many as 70 percent of people living in the U.S. with Alzheimer’s today are doing so in their own homes.

Safety at home begins with adapting the environment to support the changing abilities of the person with Alzheimer's. Be sure to re-evaluate home safety measures regularly as the disease progresses.

A person with dementia may be at risk in certain areas of the home or outdoors. Pay special attention to garages, work rooms, basements and outside areas. Inside the home, there are simple things you can do to modify your kitchen, living room, bathrooms and bedrooms to make them safer for the person with Alzheimer’s.

*Invest in installed, working fire extinguishers and smoke detectors.
*Lock or disguise hazardous areas using child-proof locks and doorknob covers.
*Limit access to places with knives, appliances and poisonous chemicals.
*Install grab bars in the bathroom to allow for independent, safe movement.
*Add textured stickers to slippery surfaces, remove throw rugs, minimize clutter and limit access to stairs to reduce risk of falls.
*Enroll the person with dementia in an emergency response service designed specifically for individuals with Alzheimer's or a related dementia who wander or may have a medical emergency. Should the individual become lost, a caregiver can report the situation to an emergency response network including the local Alzheimer’s Association chapter and law enforcement agencies that will work to get the individual home safely. You may also want to consider a web-based GPS location management service to remotely monitor the person with Alzheimer’s. Check with the Alzheimer’s Association for more information about these services.

If you enlist the help of caregiving professionals to provide care for your loved one with Alzheimer's or dementia, they’ll be able to point out additional suggestions to make your home a safe environment. Companies such as Care Solutions typically provide a home safety evaluation as part of their initial in-home assessment to offer recommendations specific to your living space and the needs of the person with Alzheimer’s or dementia.

05/17/2014

02/28/2014

7 Advantages of In-Home Care

Where do you hope to age? For the majority of people age 65 and over, the answer is home. However, with advancing age often comes difficulty completing daily activities and the need for additional assistance. Families must decide between residential care, in-home care or family caregiving. Aging in place with the support of a professional caregiver offers a number of advantages compared to other long-term care options.

Home care is rooted in the principle that older adults should be free to age at home with the level of care they need to be safe and comfortable while still maintaining some level of independence. In-home care offers seniors the following benefits:

1. Comfort. Our homes are our sanctuaries. They are filled with our sacred possessions and our cherished memories. Research has confirmed time and time again that patients heal more quickly when they are at home.

2. Choice. With In-Home Care, older adults can choose the caregiver and level of service they need and adapt the care plan as their needs change. Care is available on a flexible hourly or around the clock basis.

3. Customized care. In-Home Care caregivers not only provide support with basic activities such as light housekeeping, meal preparation and personal care, but they also provide a much more personalized plan of care tailored to the status, conditions, preferences, hobbies and lifestyle of each client.

4. Optimal quality of life. Studies performed in both the U.S. and Canada suggest that seniors receiving home care maintain higher rates of life satisfaction. The emotional strain associated with moving away from the familiarity and comfort of home often leads to physical decline, further loss of independence and diminished quality of life. In addition, the individualized approach of home care provides invaluable companionship and fosters feelings of security.

5. Longevity. Scientific evidence suggests that home care supports longevity. Personalized, one-on-one support from professionally trained caregivers can help people maintain physical, mental and spiritual health.

6. Cost efficiency. Studies have shown that home care is less expensive than other forms of senior care such as placement in a nursing home or assisted living facility.

7. Compassionate support. Many trained caregivers believe that what they do is not simply a job, but a calling. They gain satisfaction and fulfillment from helping their clients rather than the financial compensation they receive.

If you are interested in learning more about in-home care services, contact our office at 662-236-0071 or
866-247-7658 or visit www.AtHomeCareSolutions.com

A Caring, Affordable Alternative to Nursing Homes and Assisted Living Facilities. Prices from $8.00 to $10.00 per hour.

05/06/2013

MAY IS STROKE AWARENESS MONTH!!!!

A stroke occurs when blood flow, and thus oxygen flow, to the brain is stopped. The symptoms of a stroke depend on the area of the brain affected. In some cases a person may not know that he or she is having a stroke. Because it’s imperative for people to get to the hospital as quickly as possible, you should familiarize yourself with the warning signs provided by the National Stroke Association’s Act FAST campaign:
Face – When he/she smiles does one side of the face droop?
Arms – Can he/she raise both arms without one drifting downward?
Speech – When asked to speak is his/her speech slurred?
Time – If you observe these signs, call 911 immediately.
Other possible symptoms include:
A sudden headache that gets worse when changing positions, bending or coughing
Change in alertness (e.g. sleepiness, unconsciousness)
Loss of senses (e.g. difficulty hearing, tasting, seeing, feeling pain or pressure)
Confusion or loss of memory
Dizziness, vertigo or loss of coordination
Numbness or tingling on one side of the body
Recovering from a stroke can be an emotional, frustrating process for both the patient and their loved ones. Stroke victims must overcome physical, cognitive and emotional challenges including:
Loss of mobility, movement, or feeling in one or more parts of the body (e.g. nerve, joint, and/or muscle damage)
Difficulty communicating and/or understanding language (e.g. aphasia)
Problems thinking or focusing (e.g. memory problems, poor judgment)
Difficulty swallowing, poor nutrition
Bladder and bowel problems
Regardless of the severity of your stroke, it is critical to take a proactive and informed approach to your post-stroke care. While leaving the hospital setting can be daunting, the return home is a major, positive step in the recovery process.

11/02/2012

R.I.P.
Quitman Elliott "Boo" Harrison
October 18, 1938 - October 26, 2012

11/02/2012

RIP Sweet Lady!! You will be missed!!
Mrs. Loyce Busby
March 3, 1919 - November 1, 2012

10/12/2012

Survive (and Enjoy!) the Holidays with Home Care Help

Instead of heading to the mall to check a few items off your holiday shopping list, you’re taking mom to a doctor’s appointment and then heading out to the pharmacy to pick up her meds. Instead of looking forward to spending time with the relatives at your annual holiday gathering, you’re dreading the extra housework you’ll have to do on top of making sure Dad gets bathed each morning.

Can you identify with the lyrics to the Faith Hill song, “Where are you Christmas? Why can’t I find you? Why have you gone away?” It’s easy to get so lost in the responsibilities that come with caring for an aging parent that you can’t pause to enjoy the festivities of the season.

Yet, it’s possible to survive and enjoy the holidays if you ask for help. Get in touch with an in-home senior care agency to find out more about how the following five home care services can help to save your sanity during the holiday season and throughout the year.

Transportation – Having trouble fitting all your loved one’s myriad doctor appointments and errands into your schedule? Enlist the help of a professional caregiver to accompany your loved one on routine trips to the doctor’s or grocery store. Caregivers employed by a senior home care agency are typically bonded and insured, and provide assistance for your loved one before, during and after the outing.While a caregiver helps your loved one with errands, you can use that time to check off items on your own to-do list. Or, you can devote the time you would have spent sitting in the doctor’s office doing something that you and your loved one will both enjoy instead, such as gift shopping or attending a holiday event.
Housekeeping – Visits from friends and family members around the holidays create a lot of extra chores around the house that your loved one may be unable to handle due to lack of mobility or stamina. A professional caregiver can help out by accomplishing light housekeeping tasks such as dusting, vacuuming, changing bed sheets, doing laundry, or taking out the trash.Instead of dreading the arrival of family members because of all the work you’ll have to put into cleaning up the house, you and your loved one will be able to fully enjoy the visit and appreciate the family togetherness—one of the aspects of the holiday that older adults most look forward to.
Companionship– The holidays can be a sad and lonely time for seniors who have lost a spouse or have busy families that cannot come visit as much as they would like. Receiving regular visits from a hired caregiver, who often quickly becomes more of a friend, can help lift your loved one’s spirits by offering conversation, creating opportunities to reminisce, and encouraging mind-stimulating activities.Visit as much as you can, but instead of feeling guilty about the times you can’t spend with Mom or Dad, rest assured your loved one can still receive healthy social interaction.
Meal Assistance – Mom might now need extra help preparing the traditional Thanksgiving meal as she has always done, or perhaps even planning and preparing daily meals has become too much. Instead of worrying about how Mom might leave the stove on all night or that she’s not eating well, let a professional caregiver assist with planning out healthy meals for the week, creating a shopping list, and supervising meal preparation and cleanup.
Personal Care – If your loved one needs help with bathing, managing incontinence and other personal tasks of daily living , as a family caregiver, you likely spend a great deal of time each day attending to those needs. Hiring a trained professional caregiver to provide that assistance will not only spare you time and stress, but may also spare your loved one a little dignity.Instead of spending your mornings on nursing duty as you walk Dad through his wake-up routine, you’ll be able to spend quality time with him as a son or daughter again.
Receiving extra help for even just a few hours a week can free you up to spend the holidays with your loved one how you would like to, not how you have to.

For more information about how a professional caregiver can meet your loved one’s specific needs and to discuss scheduling and pricing information, call a local in-home senior care agency.