“Even though this isn’t directly related, I’ve noticed a few unusual symptoms I wanted to share.”
The human body is a miracle of complex, interrelated systems. It’s always best to err on the side of too much information. For instance, when you take your parent to the dentist, you might not think to mention recent lab work showing high cholesterol. However, most systemic diseases (those affecting multiple parts of the body) have initial symptoms related to the mouth, which people tend to overlook because they seem unrelated.

“Here is a list of Mom’s prescriptions, over-the-counter medications and supplements.”
Staying on top of drug interactions is critical. Make sure every healthcare professional has an updated list of all medications and supplements at every appointment. Take advantage of your neighborhood pharmacist to ask questions between appointments. If your loved one takes many medications, take the time to separate out and instruct. There are so many styles of pill dispensers and boxes to help in this.

“Should we let Mom’s primary care physician know about this?”
In a perfect world, your parent’s primary care physician is their advocate and care coordinator. However, information doesn’t always make its way back to them. Consider yourself the doctor’s assistant, making sure they get what they need to make the best recommendations for your loved ones’ care. You might consider setting up a Personal Health Record (PHR) to manage the information. There are many online tools for this purpose, which you can maintain and share with your parents’ healthcare team.

“Since we last saw you, Mom started seeing a specialist about this health issue.”
Many older adults have chronic conditions managed by multiple specialists. As stated earlier, always “over-share.” You never know what information is important. The specialists may want to consult with each other (with permission of course) and with your parents’ primary care physician. Many hospitals and healthcare plans offer Nurse Navigators that can help you coordinate the care of complex conditions requiring a team of professionals from different specialties.

“Due to Mom’s surgery, she is on these medications temporarily, and has some dietary and physical restrictions.”
Surgery creates many complications for your parents’ care after discharge, even for outpatient procedures. To ensure a quick recovery, let all healthcare providers know about the surgery at the next appointment and share any restrictions that might affect their treatment plan, now and in the future.

“Would you like a copy of Mom’s most recent lab results?”
To avoid unnecessary bloodwork or other lab tests, you can share the results with other healthcare providers. Even if they were not planning to order tests, the information could be useful for diagnosis and treatment. Using a Personal Health Record makes this easy, so you don’t have to keep hard copies handy for each appointment.

Need help managing your loved ones’ healthcare needs? Our caregivers can support your efforts to stay organized and keep your parent healthy.

The post Managing Your Elderly Parent’s Health – Let’s Get the Record Straight appeared first on 5 Star Home Care.

Even if you talk every day by phone, many seniors will not share that they are struggling. They may fear the loss of their independence. It’s also possible that their health declined slowly over time and they aren’t aware of the changes.

Take advantage of your time at home over the holidays to make sure your aging parents and loved ones are safe and healthy at home. Here are 25 clues that may indicate their need for assistance around the home.

If you observe some of these clues and want to learn more about home care services, contact 5 Star Home Care. We can provide an in-home evaluation and recommend the right mix of services tailored for your loved one.

The post Visiting elderly parents over the holidays? 25 clues they need help at home appeared first on 5 Star Home Care.

When would it make sense to engage a home care agency? Here are the top five reasons:

1. I want my parent to be able to stay in their home safely.
As Mom and Dad get older, they may gradually need your help more and more. Certain household chores like vacuuming or laundry might become too strenuous. Perhaps they can’t drive any longer so the basics like grocery shopping and doctor’s appointments fill your calendar as well. If you live at a distance, this compounds the problem. Since everyone ages differently, our services are based on the needs of the client, and flexible as things change. What may begin as general housekeeping and meal preparation may evolve into medication reminders and companionship.

2. I want my family member with a disability to have the best quality of life as possible.
Non-medical home care can help a person with a disability attain mobility and independence. This might include meal preparation, transportation, housekeeping, bathing or grooming to ensure a healthy, safe lifestyle. Depending on the needs of the individual, the caregiver might reinforce positive social connections and assist with hobbies and interests.

3. I need help to recover from an injury or hospitalization.
For those who are accustomed to good physical health and/or mobility, the limitations from an injury or hospitalization can be frustrating and affect all areas of life. A temporary caregiver can provide assistance with general household responsibilities as well as personal care during your recovery.

4. I need assistance while I adjust to being a new mom.
For those who live far from family and may not have a readily available support network, coming home with a newborn can be stressful, even more than it already is. Whether mom needs to be on bed rest, or just wants a hand with errands while she establishes a routine, we ensure just the right level of support by the right person.

5. I need periodic respite as the primary caregiver.
If you are the primary caregiver for an elderly or disabled relative, you understand the strain it can cause at times. Many baby boomers are sandwiched between caring for their parents and their children. A home care agency can provide welcome respite to support your care – in whatever way works for you.

A little help is just a click away. Contact 5 Star Home Care to get started.

The post Top Five Reasons to Engage a Home Care Agency appeared first on 5 Star Home Care.