Being mindful of an Alzheimer’s client’s memory

Alzheimer’s Solutions is also a part of Senior Home Care Solutions. Senior Home Care Solutions is a non-medical senior companion company that specializes in in-home care. We not only provide the non‑medical personal service your loved one needs, but we provide companionship along with all our services.

When a loved one has Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, you are not only caring for their physical needs, but now you are treating a progressive mental deterioration. At this time, both family members and caregivers are combating days where a senior loved on does not remember them.

We introduce ourselves every time we come to the home of someone with Alzheimer’s. Each and every time we see a client there is a chance that we won’t be recognized. “Hi Lee....it’s Sheila.” This way they are not embarrassed or frustrated if they have forgotten who we are and we can remind them any time it is necessary.  Our seniors with Alzheimer’s often don’t call us by name and that is OK.

With an Alzheimer’s Solutions client we put together a client sheet with profile data that we collect from the family and data we collect from out visits. We ask the family members, “Do you know of anything that triggers your parent to become upset or angry? Is there a time that is worse than others?” We also ask about any specific likes and dislikes of things to do, talk about, to eat, activities, and anything else they know would help in their care.

Because Alzheimer’s and dementia are diseases that have effects on the memory, thinking and behavior, there are many variances. Also, these are diseases that gradually get worse. With this knowledge, we know that it is important to track any changes in our clients. If we notice severe changes in an Alzheimer’s Solutions client’s memory or behavior, we communicate with the client’s family members.

It’s important to keep senior loved ones safe and to keep them happy in their homes. If it is your desire, and your loved one’s desire, to have them live in the comfort of their home, then talking to us at Alzheimer’s Solutions is your next step. We are here to make this process smooth and to provide the best in-home Alzheimer’s care possible for your loved one.

Finding the best caregiver and also a trusted caregiver can be tough. My senior companions at Senior Home Care Solutions are committed to being the best and being trustworthy. Paying close attention to a client’s health and mannerisms, or making sure they have their favorite foods are only just the beginning of what it means to be a senior companion and a reliable caregiver.

Until next time, take care.

Contact us today to learn how we can help you or your loved one to experience the difference of Alzheimer’s Solutions and Senior Home Care Solutions at 315-247-6741, visit www.SyracuseSenior.com or email me, Sheila Ohstrom, at Ohstrom@twcny.rr.com with any questions you might have. You can follow us on Twitter at @SyracuseSenior and @AlzSolutions.

Sandwich Generation deals with needs of parents & kids

Senior Home Care Solutions is a non-medical senior companion company that specializes in companion and Alzheimer’s care. We not only provide the non‑medical personal service your loved one needs, but we provide companionship along with all our services.

When a child or group of siblings realizes their aging parent needs daily care, there are many thoughts and emotions that begin to surface.

The two most common situations when a family realizes they need care are these:

1. Some type of incident has happened. A stay in the hospital for sickness, a fall, a surgery of some kind, loss of a spouse or there are noticeable signs of depression.

2. There has been some type of change in their parents. The house is not as clean as it used to be, mail is piling up, they can’t do the outside work on the house anymore, they aren’t able to handle all the day to day items, the sink is full of dishes, laundry isn’t being done, they aren’t bothering to cook for themselves, they are isolating themselves by staying at home, forgetting to take medications, children fear of their parents driving, and there are changes in short-term memory.

Adult children immediately think they need to get help to make sure their loved ones are safe but do not know what is out there and how to find it. 

It’s all about peace of mind. Families will usually put together a plan to handle it themselves at first if they are local. However, if there is no family nearby, they start calling everywhere to find out what their options are. Generally speaking, families become overwhelmed by what is out there and what it costs to have care.

Today adult children are in the Sandwich Generation and it is very hard for them to manage their jobs and families in addition to their parents. It puts a lot of pressure on the children to do all of this and to do it well. When they visit the parents they are consumed by performing tasks — doctor appointments, grocery shopping, cooking, managing finances, and keeping up the house inside and out. 

So when they do visit their parents, it is not quality time — it’s work time and it becomes tedious and not enjoyable. Resentment can come into play along with guilt.     

It is rare that potential clients who call me are thinking about turning to a nursing home. If they are calling me, they do know there are options to be home — they just don’t know what they are. The term “nursing home,” has a horrible stigma and 99 percent of people want to stay in their homes regardless of the situation at hand. 

There is a line between children who do want their parents to be able to stay home, but at times that does not come with relief or peace of mind. It depends on each unique situation.

Most children want their parents to stay at home and it is usually the wishes of the parents as well. If the parents are in need of some help, it is usually affordable, but if they need lots of help in the home they don’t realize how expensive it truly is and how much is not covered by insurance. Roughly plan on $25 per hour for care of any kind and that will equate to $480 per day if you need 24-hour care.   

Finding the best caregiver and also a trusted caregiver can be tough. My senior companions at Senior Home Care Solutions are committed to being the best and being trustworthy.

Paying close attention to a client’s health and mannerisms, or making sure they have their favorite foods are only just the beginning of what it means to be a senior companion and a reliable caregiver.

Until next time, take care.

Contact us today to learn how we can help you or your loved one to experience the difference of Senior Home Care Solutions at 315-247-6741, visit www.SyracuseSenior.com or email me, Sheila Ohstrom, at Ohstrom@twcny.rr.com with any questions you might have.

A new year with our changing families

Senior Home Care Solutions is a non-medical senior companion company that specializes in companion and Alzheimer’s care. We not only provide the non‑medical personal service your loved one needs, but we provide companionship along with all our services.

Every day we are hearing more about the conversations families are having in regard to the changing needs of their families. However, we hear these conversations and are asked more questions around the holidays. 

When families gather for the holidays, children of aging parents are hit with reality. They are witnessing the troubles and challenges that increase throughout the non-holiday part of the year. Thanksgiving and Christmas tend to be the two biggest wake-up calls for children. You might notice that less housekeeping is being done, less cooking is happening, the family home may have some disrepair and maybe you are possibly noticing some forgetfulness on behalf of mom and dad, maybe even both.

All of these eye-opening factors can be alarming and initially it tends to make you sad. Seeing these things happen to your parents is hard to take and it is saddening because we are never 100 percent ready to face the reality that our parents are aging and need some assistance.

There is no telling how long it will take to accept that your aging loved ones needs help, but it is up to you and any siblings or relatives to be supportive and caring to these specific needs.

No matter how hard it is, have that conversation with your family members for the ultimate benefit of your parent(s). Take the time to discuss what everyone can do to help. If there is a clear option for your parent(s) to continue living in the comfort of their own home, then explore that first. Taking someone away from his or her home can be very difficult, especially when a sense and desire for independence is present.

At Senior Home Care Solutions we are ready to answer questions and share our related experience with you and your family. We are committed to giving you and your loved ones specific attention and providing exceptional care and services to every one of our clients. It takes individual attention for each client and respect for those individual needs, and we will always strive to obtain that for you.

If you’re looking for that senior companion that fits your family’s loved one, I encourage you to visit our website and learn more about our senior companions. You will quickly learn that Senior Home Care Solutions has an array of senior companions who offer excellent care and attention to each of their clients.

Having the conversation about a loved one who is showing signs of Alzheimer’s or dementia or someone in need of senior assistance ― is something you can’t ignore. Talk to your family and find out if having home care for a senior loved one is the right decision for to be made in the new year.

Contact us today to learn how we can help you or your loved one to experience the difference of Senior Home Care Solutions at (315) 247-6741 or email me, Sheila Ohstrom, at Ohstrom@twcny.rr.com with any questions you might have.

And remember, with Senior Home Care Solutions, it is… Your Choice. Your Home. Your Terms. From all of our staff, we wish you a happy new year!

Until next time, take care.

Finding a trusted senior companion

Senior Home Care Solutions is a non-medical senior companion company that specializes in companion and Alzheimer’s care. We not only provide the non‑medical personal service your loved one needs, but we provide companionship along with all our services.

Every day my senior companions are caring for people right in the comfort of their own homes. Besides knowing that your loved ones are able to stay in their own home as desired, you also know you can trust that person who is caring for them.

We are committed to excellent and dignified care for your loved ones. We pride ourselves in providing exceptional care and services to every one of our clients. It takes individual attention for each client and respect for those individual needs.

So many times we come across different needs and unique backgrounds and our senior companions adapt and care for them in the best way possible. All of our senior companions have experience in care giving, but also they have diverse business and healthcare careers that bring added strength to our services.

If you’re looking for that senior companion that fits your family’s loved one, I encourage you to visit our website and learn more about our senior companions. You will quickly learn that Senior Home Care Solutions has an array of senior companions who offer excellent care and attention to each of their clients.

Having peace of mind when your loved one who has Alzheimer’s, dementia or other senior assistance ― is something you can’t ignore. Talk to your family and find out if having home care for a senior loved one is the right decision for him or her.

And remember, with Senior Home Care Solutions, it is… Your Choice. Your Home. Your Terms.

Until next time, take care.

Contact us today to learn how we can help you or your loved one to experience the difference of Senior Home Care Solutions at (315) 247-6741, visit www.SyracuseSenior.com or email me, Sheila Ohstrom, at Ohstrom@twcny.rr.com with any questions you might have.

Recognizing our caregivers and all they do

Senior Home Care Solutions is a non-medical senior companion company that specializes in companion and Alzheimer’s care. We not only provide the non‑medical personal service your loved one needs, but we provide companionship along with all our services.

What is a caregiver? By general definition it’s a family member or paid helper who regularly looks after a child or a sick, elderly, or disabled person.

But what does the word mean to you? How is it important in your life?

At Senior Home Care Solutions, we’re always looking to the future and determining the needs of each generation.

Over the next 20 years there is going to be a huge influx of seniors who need some help to enable them to stay in their home. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services projects that by 2050, the number of individuals using paid long-term care services in any setting (e.g., at home, residential care such as assisted living, or skilled nursing facilities) will likely double from the 13 million using services in 2000, to 27 million people. This estimate is influenced by growth in the population of older people in need of care.

 

Many potential employers of these types of services do not hire adequately educated people to perform these jobs and are only paid minimum wage. It is crucial that we pay these caregivers well so we can continue to attract educated and loving employees to care for our parents, aunts, uncles and loved ones.

Just two weeks ago ― my employee, Sue, was with a client and was taking him to the physical therapists for an appointment. She attended the entire session with him so we could help him remember the exercises he could continue at home. 

In the middle of the appointment his whole demeanor changed suddenly and Sue knowing her client suspected a problem such as a possible stroke. The ambulance was called right away and he was taken to Crouse Hospital in Syracuse. 

Without a doubt, he was treated for a stroke and is now on his way to a full recovery. These types of experiences are life-changing for us! Sue in fact saved his life and the family is so grateful. 

On another day in Senior Home Care Solutions, we lost a wonderful woman. She had recently been in rehab for an injury. We continued to visit her while she was in rehab to keep her spirits up. She would complain to Melanie, her senior companion, that she wasn’t able to get real toast or butter at rehab. 

So, from that day forward, my employee, Melanie, would bring her client her favorite Italian bread and real butter so she could have it any time she wanted. When attending the funeral, the family was so thankful for all these types of little things that Melanie did that made their loved one smile each day. 

Sometimes it’s the little things like real butter that can get someone through a tough day and make them smile.

No matter what it is that makes the caregiver in your loved one’s life so special, be sure to take notice. An estimated 34 million caregivers provide care for someone age 50 and older. Chances are, you know at least one caregiver. Tell that caregiver what he or she does that makes a difference in your loved one’s life.

Finding the best caregiver and also a trusted caregiver can be tough. My senior companions at Senior Home Care Solutions are committed to being the best and being trustworthy.

Paying close attention to a client’s health and mannerisms, or making sure they have their favorite foods are only just the beginning of what it means to be a senior companion and a reliable caregiver.

Until next time, take care.

Contact us today to learn how we can help you or your loved one to experience the difference of Senior Home Care Solutions at 315-247-6741, visit www.SyracuseSenior.com or email me, Sheila Ohstrom, at Ohstrom@twcny.rr.com with any questions you might have.

Living because the thrill is still there

Senior Home Care Solutions is a non-medical senior companion company that specializes in companion and Alzheimer’s care. We not only provide the non‑medical personal service your loved one needs, but we provide companionship along with all our services.

Recently, I read an article that prompted a live chat with Dr. David L. Katz. The article was entitled, “’Not Dying,’ isn’t the Same as Living,” and it truly spoke to my passion. We should be living because the thrill of living is indeed “thrilling” and because we’re living the way we want to.

 

There may a come a time in our lives when we struggle on occasion or we begin to need help with tasks. Furthermore, we may get to an age where we need continuous help with everyday activities and maybe we need help with our health and nutrition. Does this mean we stop living? Does this mean we give up the lifestyle we have loved for years?

Every day, Senior Home Care Solutions makes it possible for men and women to make the choice of living with a thrill. That thrill could be enjoying the comfort of your own home, walking in the parks you have always loved and going to the stores and other places you like.

However, keeping this lifestyle choice can sometimes appear impossible.

In addition, being in good health is a part of living in comfort. In the article and the chat, many people’s concerns came from imaging what life past 90 would entail. Would I be in good health? Will I be battling a chronic disease?

In the article, this was stated: “Nearly 80% of all chronic disease-heart disease, cancer, stroke, diabetes, dementia- could be eliminated by means already at our disposal. But those means are routinely neglected, because most of us know what, but almost none of us knows how.”

It’s up to us to decide what our lives will become and what the lives of our aging loved ones will be, too. Making preparations with someone’s happiness in mind is the most important part. Ask your loved ones what they want. Many families are able to take care of aging loved ones in their own homes, but for others, distance, jobs or availability may preclude this option. With that in mind, ask your loved one if staying in their home is something they want, and most importantly, is it something that will keep their thrills alive.

Staying in your own home is a wonderful and comforting choice ― and it’s a choice that is possible. Finding a senior companion for your loved one is the first step in the right direction. You’re now on the path of seeing your loved one live because the thrill of living is still there.

Until next time, take care.

Contact us today to learn how we can help you or your loved one to experience the difference of Senior Home Care Solutions at 315-247-6741, visit www.SyracuseSenior.com or email me, Sheila Ohstrom, at Ohstrom@twcny.rr.com with any questions you might have.

Quality care in your own home

Senior Home Care Solutions is a non-medical senior companion company that specializes in companion and Alzheimer’s care. We not only provide the non‑medical personal service your loved one needs, but we provide companionship along with all our services.

We also provide short-term help for rehab and respite. We pride ourselves on improving the life of your loved one by keeping them socially active and engaged while remaining in the safe, comfortable and supportive environment of their own home.

I started this company in 2010 because of my own family’s experiences and the needs that I wish could have been met. What we do is important because it means that people can stay in their homes receive quality care.

Our mission of Senior Home Care Solutions is to help keep seniors in their homes and independent as long as possible by providing the types of support they need. We can also provide the care his or her home needs as well. Basic home maintenance needs, inside and out, are included as part of our services. In addition, we also offer transportation and social activities.

You will undoubtedly experience the difference with Senior Home Care Solutions.

We provide services to seniors in and around the greater Syracuse areas including but not limited to Baldwinsville, Camillus, Cazenovia, Chittenango, Cicero, Clay, East Syracuse, Fayetteville, Jamesville, Lafayette, Liverpool, Manlius, Marcellus, Mattydale, North Syracuse, Pompey, Skaneateles, and Tully.

Our senior companions are highly skilled and experienced in this field. But most importantly, they can be trusted with your loved ones. I take each employee through a specific screening process to confirm their experience and ability to properly serve our valued clientele. Our employees are experienced, background checked, bonded, and insured

Our motto has become simple because of what we do every day: Your choice, your home, your terms.

It’s a comforting feeling knowing your loved one is being taken care of, but it’s a more heightened feeling knowing they’re able to be cared for in the comfort of their own home.

Contact us today to learn how we can help you or your loved one to experience the difference of Senior Home Care Solutions at (315) 247-6741, visit www.SyracuseSenior.com or email me at Ohstrom@twcny.rr.com with any questions you might have.

Until next time, take care.