Chicago Home Care

From Hospital to Home: A Smooth Transition

admin — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 19:58:07 +0000

No one likes to go to the hospital and once in the hospital, no one wants to stay in the hospital. The absolute worst is when you have to go back to the hospital. Unfortunately, re-hospitalization rates in the United States are alarmingly high, often around 10 percent. For example, U.S. statistics show that 1 in 10 Medicaid patients between the ages of 21 to 64 were readmitted to the hospital within 30 days of discharge in 2007. Patients often believe that the story ends once they go home, but for every day spent in a hospital, a week of recovery is typically needed until they can safely and comfortably return to their normal routine.

Fortunately, with planning and the right care, re-hospitalization rates can be significantly reduced. Before you return home, be sure to understand your options. Perhaps the most important trait for success once you arrive home is patience. Be patient with yourself. If you push yourself, you will be pushed right back to a facility. Relax. Accept help. Expect your recovery to take time. Listen to your doctors and therapists. Exercise, take your medications correctly and allow others to help you.

If possible, consider having a family member or trusted friend sit in on the meetings and take notes for you. A second pair of eyes and ears can be helpful when trying to remember instructions, particularly if you are recovering from an illness or event. Do the following before you or your loved one is discharged from the hospital.

Understand your care options. Be sure to let your family and discharge team know your preferences.
Make sure you understand the medications that you will be taking upon discharge and how to take them.
Ensure any equipment you may need for continued recovery at home (e.g. a hospital bed or walker) is in place before you get home.
Understand all the therapies that are assigned. Have a schedule in place, as well as contact numbers.
Ask the staff to demonstrate any tasks that require special skills, such as changing a bandage. Ask anyone who might be helping at home to watch the demonstration too.
Ask your discharge team about common problems for patients with your health condition, what you can do to reduce your risk and what you should do in the event of emergency – take notes! You may not remember all the details once you’re home.
Understand your physical limitations – plan for them and don’t push yourself.
Know that you have access to a social worker if you have concerns about coping with the situation.
Request written discharge instructions and a summary of your current health status. Bring this information and your medication list with you to all follow-up appointments. Don’t assume the doctors have all of the information or that they have read it. Remember, you must advocate for yourself (or have a family member or friend advocate for you), so it is important that you are familiar with your conditions, medications and instructions.

Once you or your loved one is discharged, there will be a number of steps before full independence can be reached. The length of each step is determined by a number of factors, including the condition that caused the hospitalization, your age, your general health and how well you treat your transition home. You have control over your transition if you remember that this is a gradual process – be patient!

Here are the steps to independence:

Dependence: When you first return home, your primary goals are rest and recovery. Hire an experienced caregiver from a stellar agency who will support you. Your caregiver should take care of laundry, meal prep, errands and any other household tasks. Let them do their job! You can return to your household routine in the near future. In the meantime, focus your energy on resting, recommended therapy exercises and proper caloric intake.
Mild Independence: When you feel stronger, ask your caregiver to cut back on hands-on care wherever possible. Identify tasks that you can now manage independently and slowly wean yourself off care in these few areas. Never compromise your safety though; ask your caregiver to step in if you feel uncomfortable.
Supervised Independence: Over time, you should gradually increase your independence. Your caregiver should be there to assist if needed, but her primary role should be supervision and safety monitoring, rather than direct physical assistance for your immediate care. She should still take the lead on household chores.
Supported Independence: Once you are comfortable with activities of daily living, you can incorporate chores and other housework into your routine. Try a trip to the grocery store or prepare a meal with your caregiver. These seemingly minor steps are important milestones in your path towards a full recovery.
Semi-supported Independence: Slowly start to return to your pre-hospitalization routine.
Full Independence: If you feel you can safely return to all of your regular activities independently, evaluate your comfort level and assess if you’re truly ready. Remember, full independence is a long-term goal and should not be prioritized ahead of your safety.

While you safely and methodically work towards full independence, remember to be alert – keep an eye out for anything that seems out of the ordinary or is of concern by listening to your body. Never hesitate to call your doctor with questions. Review the list of risks that you received while in the hospital. Listen to your doctors’ instructions and follow the exercises prescribed by your therapists. For now, it’s all about you. Once you have successfully reached full independence, throw yourself a party, take a deep breath and start to look around again – it’s a big beautiful world, and through planning and care, you will soon be ready to fully join it again!

Margalit Tocher is a native of Evanston and currently lives in Skokie. She is the owner of Kenilworth-based Home Care Assistance of Greater Chicago.

If you are a caregiver for a family member or loved one in the Chicago North Shore area, an outside caregiver may be an excellent option for relief to ensure you also have some time for yourself. Home Care Assistance Chicago certified caregivers are available 24/7 to provide experienced, trustworthy caregivers to help with all your home care needs: transportation, healthy meal preparation, companionship, socialization, activities, personal care, medication reminders, and specific Alzheimer’s and dementia care services. Located North of Chicago in Kenilworth (430 Green Bay Road, Kenilworth, IL 60043) we serve Chicago and all of the North Shore, including Kenilworth, Winnetka, Wilmette, Glencoe, Evanston, Highland Park, Northbrook, Northfield, Deerfield, Lake Forest, Libertyville, Buffalo Grove, Glenview, and more! Call 847-853-7777 or visit www.HomeCareAssistance.com

Free Webinar for Heart Month

admin — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 06:24:46 +0000

In recognition of Heart Month, join us for our free webinar on February 17 at 1 pm CST featuring renowned Cleveland Clinic heart experts and authors, Drs. Marc Gillinov and Steven Nissen. To register, visit http://homecareassistance.com/heartmonth/ This is one in a series of free webinars provided by Home Care Assistance that features experts in various fields discussing topics of interest dealing with aging, health and wellness and healthy longevity.

Sleep Your Way to a Healthy Heart

admin — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 06:16:10 +0000

Without a restful night of sleep, the next day can be both physically and mentally draining, but did you know it can actually put you at risk for a heart attack?

According to a recent study published in Circulation, a Journal published by the American Heart Association, individuals with insomnia increase their risk of a having a heart attack by 27 to 45 percent. Even being able to fall asleep, but not stay asleep can increase your risk by 30 percent. Poor sleep has also been linked to heart disease, an increased risk of developing diabetes and obesity.

Simply making adjustments to your nightly routine can help you minimize these risk factors and enjoy a restful night of sleep and a healthy heart. The first step is to create a routine. Try to set your schedule so that you are waking up and going to bed at the same time each day, even on the weekends. This will help train your body to be more prepared for rest and more likely to stay asleep throughout the night.

Another quick and easy way to prepare yourself for a good night sleep is to turn down the lights about two hours before bed. Our bodies are very receptive to light and associate it with daytime. It fact, studies have shown that light, artificial or natural, will keep you awake. Turning down the lights signals to your brain that it is time to go to bed.

Going to bed hungry or too full will also prevent you from having a peaceful slumber. Being mindful of what we put into our bodies at the end of the night will help set you up for success and a night of little or no tossing and turning. Stay away from stimulates like coffee and energy drinks and keep a light snack like peanuts or a piece of fruit handy to help you curb your late night hunger pains.

Home Care Assistance Recognizes February’s Heart Month

admin — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 21:55:03 +0000

Home Care Assistance will be celebrating Heart Month throughout February. Heart disease is a prevalent and serious issue in both America for many reasons. To start, every 25 seconds an American has a coronary event, and once every minute an American dies from a heart related disease.

It is an issue of dire importance for all people which is why it is so imperative that we properly recognize and raise awareness for Heart Month this February. Aside from understanding ways to ensure heart health, like maintaining a proper diet, exercising, and not smoking or binge drinking, participating in activities like National Wear Red Day this Friday will help raise awareness around this cause. “We need to be aware, we need to keep healthy,” Sparrow Ionia Hospital Community Relations Director Laurie Tjalsma said. “We always encourage everyone to wear red.”

This February do your best to educate yourself on how to prevent and cope with the many different forms of heart disease and coronary events which currently devastate our society and many other individuals around the world. Understanding the cause of congestive Heart Failure, Heart Attack, Stroke or other cardiovascular conditions is the first step toward delaying the onset of these events.

Happy and Healthy to 102: Lessons for Living Longer from the Women Who’ve Lived the Longest

admin — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 16:58:28 +0000

What do the Peruvian, Scandinavian, Japanese and the Mediterranean women know that American women don’t? It’s to eat your way to a long life…yes we said eat!

Maintaining simple changes like portion control, eating farm fresh foods, reducing stress and eating foods with good oils and fats can make a significant difference. Eating certain foods may even ward off the chances of developing depression, obesity or cancer. Foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids like fish can help keep you slim and happy well into your later years.

Places where these healthy lifestyles prevail are called Blue Zones. Blue Zones are areas where people traditionally lived healthier and more active lifestyles, and many times live to ages 100 and older. Cold regions also have the lower rates of heart disease, depression and certain cancers, compared to those who live in warmer, Western regions. Studying these cultures and their lifestyle habits can help Americans and others adopt healthier eating habits and implement them into their daily lives.

The important thing to remember is that it’s not about a complete lifestyle change, but more how small changes to one’s lifestyle habits can have significant benefits to one’s health and happiness. For example, eating out less and choosing smaller portions can help cut out unwanted calories.

“One thing we Americans have going for us: We are always up for a challenge. So try these healthful Blue Zone — and Cold Spot — inspired ideas. Click HERE for 7 things to do starting today!

Study Shows Caregiving is One of the Most Stressful Occupations

admin — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 20:47:46 +0000

A recent study has confirmed what many of us already know: that caregiving is one of the most stressful occupations in North America. This study found that caregivers are the third most stressed group in America behind the obese and the depressed. Coincidentally, these are two issues that many caregivers are at risk for; this only amplifies the already high stress level of caregivers.

“Caregivers are not only more likely to report stress than other groups; they also report it at higher levels,” said Caring.com senior editor Paul Spencer Scott. “Caregivers are more likely than the general public to have a chronic illness (82 percent vs. 61 percent) and to rate their own health as fair or poor (34 percent vs. 20 percent). Caregivers also appear to manage stress in less healthy ways than the general population. Caregivers are twice as likely, for example, to report smoking to manage their stress (20 percent vs. 10 percent).”

It is more important now than ever to take time out of your day to takes steps toward protecting one’s health and avoiding caregiver burnout. The ability to provide care to another individual is an invaluable service to society, but the caregiver and their patient’s health need to be of equal importance.

Other interesting findings garnered from this report are that people still refuse to accept how stress affects their daily lives. Nearly one third of those polled do not believe that stress affects their physical or mental health. Tests have proven that the truth is quite the opposite; reduction of stress is a major step towards a healthier lifestyle.

To read more click here: http://www.caring.com/blogs/fyi-daily/caregivers-top-list-of-most-stressed-psychologists-say?utm_campaign=fanpage&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook

Achieving “Slowness” in a Fast-Paced World

admin — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 20:09:48 +0000

In the world of caregiving, we strive to meticulously plan out every activity to ensure a stress free experience for the elderly we serve. However, the best course of action might be to just slow down and simplify our activities. Not only does slowing down reduce stress and anxiety. but it also can lead to a more enjoyable experience for both parties involved.

“Rushing and old age don’t mix, causing all kinds of tension between seniors and their caregivers. Stiff joints, muscle weakness, aches and pains, fears — whatever the reason, old age is, in the natural life cycle, a time for slowing down.”

Caring.com proposed a list of suggestions (seen below) on how to best achieve “slowness” in our fast paced world.

• Be realistic about how much time daily tasks will take. Consider small things like getting in and out of a car or climbing up and down stairs. Everything takes time, so it should all be taken into consideration when you are planning your day.

• This same concept should be applied to daily activities like eating, dressing and bathing. Everyone should have ample time to complete these tasks. When one is rushed through activities of daily living it throws the rest of their day off as well.

• Consider natural body rhythms; if the senior you care for is a morning person, then tailor their daily activities and schedule with this in mind.

As for a more philosophical angle towards slowing down, acceptance of a senior’s slower pace is integral to a stress free outing. “In most cases, seniors can’t help moving more slowly — there’s simply nothing they can do about it. If they could, they would. Accepting this, taking a deep breath, and going with the flow — even if it’s slower than yours — is much easier than fighting it. Plus, there’s a domino effect: When caregivers relax, the seniors they’re caring for do, too.”

While it is hard for caregivers of all people to slow down a conscious and concerted effort to do so could pay dividends in the long run!

3 Dietary Rules for Managing Incontinence

admin — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 19:19:45 +0000

Adopting healthy habits is a common New Year’s resolution, but following a few simple dietary rules also can help individuals manage incontinence, according Dianna Malkowski, physician assistant, nutritionist and professional adviser for The CareGiver Partnership.

1. Monitoring fluid intake. When individuals don’t drink enough and become dehydrated, their urine can become concentrated with bladder-irritating salts. Conversely, drinking too much at a time increases the amount of urine and can irritate or overwork a bladder. Some find it helpful to measure and record daily fluid intake, along with incontinence episodes, to help them see patterns and help health care providers monitor their condition.

2. Increasing dietary fiber. Eating a high-fiber diet can help avoid constipation. Compacted stool can cause nearby bladder nerves to become overactive, increasing urinary frequency. Insoluble fiber helps move stool and is found in vegetables, wheat bran and other whole grains, nuts, beans and berries. Soluble fiber helps soothe the digestive tract and is therefore often recommended for those who suffer from irritable bowel syndrome. Soluble fiber is found in fruits such as apples and oranges, pasta, white bread and potatoes.

3. Avoiding bladder irritants. For those with bladder control problems, it may be helpful to limit alcohol and caffeine. Both are bladder stimulants and diuretics, which can cause a sudden need to urinate. Even teas and carbonated beverages may contribute to bladder problems. Other known irritants are sugar and artificial sweeteners, corn syrup, spicy foods, and acidic foods such as tomatoes and citrus.

Centenarian Celebrates Birthday in Style!

admin — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 19:25:27 +0000

We all hope to age gracefully, but maintaining independence into your later years can become difficult. That said, some individuals seem to defy the laws of aging more than others! One person in particular, Ray Nauroth, of Dunlap, Iowa just celebrated his 100th birthday.

Nauroth has worked as a bartender at the Gold Slipper in Iowa for 46 years and resides in a two story house by himself. He drives himself to work, cleans his house, and prepares meals without the help of an aide and then goes to work. “He does an awesome job and is a pleasure to work with,” said co-worker and supper club owner Nick Behrendt, “everyone loves him.”

The Gold Slipper threw a birthday party for Nauroth and served a fixed price meal for $19.11 to commemorate the year he was born. Over 600 people came out to wish Nauroth a happy birthday because even in his old age, he has managed to stay young at heart and continues to establish new friendships as well as keep up existing friendships.

“Nauroth draws a steady crowd, but prefers to work alone no matter how busy it gets. “Ray never loses his sense of humor,” Behrendt says. “He’s always in a good mood and has an answer for everything.’”

The question that many of you are probably thinking is what is his secret to aging so gracefully and acting biologically like he is in his 50s or 60s?

His answer: “My secret is waking up every day.”

To read more about Ray Nauroth click here: http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/45722058#.TvEcuCM6SFe

Addressing Signs of Aging in Parents Over the Holidays

admin — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 20:24:42 +0000

Throughout our childhoods, our parents create magical memories for us, especially during the holidays. Then one day, with outward smiles and inward dismay, our parents wave goodbye as we leave the nest and fly away to a different state or even country to build our own lives and create new memories for our own children. We are often too busy to spend regular quality time with our parents once we leave. While we enjoy a weekly phone call, it’s not the same as the annual visit during the holidays.

It is during these visits when we might notice some changes. Mom and dad are aging. They are slowing down a bit. They are asking us for more advice than we ask them. This is natural. However, there may come a point where they are slowing down to a more significant extent. Our parents may need some help in order to remain living on their own safely and comfortably.

So while you are back at home, if your gut tells you to pay attention, then it’s time to listen. Some warning signs that things are amiss include the following:

Increased forgetfulness: Are mom and dad forgetting appointments? Are they struggling to remember recent events? Recent changes in memory could be an early sign of dementia or Alzheimer’s.

Unnaturally messy home: You might notice that the dishes aren’t being done, the garbage isn’t being taken out or the laundry isn’t being folded. Perhaps household chores are becoming too much for them.

Poor hygiene: Mom used to shower every day, no matter what, and now she barely showers once a week. Dad no longer brushes his teeth. These can be a sign of Alzheimer’s or other conditions.

Falls or injuries: You may notice bruising or unsteadiness. This can be a sign of diminished motor skills or balance issues.

Changes in personality: If you notice sudden moodiness or other personality changes this could be a sign of Alzheimer’s or depression due to aging or decreased independence.

Social isolation: Mom and dad don’t go out anymore to the movies or to see friends, or have seemed to stop enjoying activities they used to. Social isolation can have many causes – it’s something to explore.

So what do you do if you notice a few of these symptoms? It’s time to have a family meeting. Set an agenda and explain your concerns. Be sure to understand everyone’s perspective. What concerns has aging created for each involved party? For your parents, it may be a fear of dependence or mortality. For your siblings, it may be an overwhelmed feeling of concern that something may happen when they’re alone.

Understand what is most important to your parents. What are their fears? It could be safety, losing independence or cost of care. Are they worried that they might need to move to a facility? Perhaps your parents would prefer to stay at home, which is the case with 9 out of 10 seniors. In that case, contact a reputable, licensed home care agency to discuss care within the home. While many seniors initially fear entering into a relationship with a caregiver, the right situation will empower your parents to remain as independent as possible.

Identifying a potential issue, communicating concerns and listening to and understanding what is important to each family member are key to coming up with a solution which ultimately honors your parents and their wishes, while at the same time provides a safe and enriching environment.