As you or your loved one ages, assistive home care equipment can help make everyday life around the house easier and safer.  There are hundreds of assistive devices for in-home care on the market today that can make living safer and more comfortable.   Here are some insider tips for purchasing and using just a few of the most popular pieces of home-care equipment that we have discovered very useful for our clients over the years.

“Stand-alone” Commodes:

A commode can replace both a raised toilet seat and a toilet safety frame and has the additional benefit of being mobile, so it can be used independently at a bedside as well.

Tips for purchase:

Look for one with non-removable armrests and rubber tips on the legs rather than wheels, and test for sturdiness.

Look for a commode that comes with both a pail (with lid) and a sleeve (for use over the toilet).

Rollators:

A rollator is a four-wheeled walker that includes brakes, a seat, and a basket. They work well both indoors and outdoors, provide seating when the user needs to rest, and the basket allows users to carry items with them, keeping their hands free to navigate the rollator.

Tips for purchase:

·         Larger wheels are better, as they roll easier on uneven ground and are usually more stable.

·         Look for a lightweight, foldable version so that it can fit in the trunk of a car.

·         Test out the hand brakes before purchase to make sure that they are not stiff or difficult to use.

·         Look for a rollator with a padded seat for comfort.

Models that allow easy access to the basket/bag while in the normal walking position are preferable.

Shower bench versus Shower board:

A shower bench is helpful for people who feel unsafe when lifting their legs over the side of the tub and greatly reduces the risk of falls when getting into and out of the bathtub.

The main benefits of shower benches over shower boards are that they have backrests and are height adjustable. Having a taller surface makes getting up from sitting easier and backrests provide more support to people that fatigue easily. Shower boards can also be difficult to fit securely to a tub.

Tips for purchase:

• Look for a shower bench that has a handle and backrest that can be moved around to accommodate different bathtubs.
• Make certain to also purchase a good hand held sprayer that attaches to the faucet and is easy to use.

If you or your loved are now in a position where home-care equipment might be the answer for increased safety and independence at home, contact us online or call us at 208-777-0308 if you’re calling from the Post Falls, Coeur d’Alene or Hayden areas; 208-263-7889 in the Sandpoint, Bonners Ferry or Priest River areas; or 208-784-1505 if you’re calling from the Kellogg, Pinehurst or Wallace areas.   If calling from outside any of these areas, call us toll-free at 877-464-2344.

Besides offering all the traditional home care services necessary to keep seniors and disabled at home safely and independently, we can make recommendations for assistive devices, supplies and equipment, as well as provide you with contacts here in North Idaho to obtain these important senior resources.

For most of us, our homes are a safe haven from the busy world we live in.  But for those  with chronic illnesses like MS, the home can be a hazardous place.  If you or your loved one has been diagnosed with MS (or any debilitating disease), the first step in care-giving should be to make the necessary adaptations so the home becomes a safe, comfortable sanctuary.

Debilitating diseases like MS can make moving around difficult, and because the activities of daily living—including leisure activities— can cause fatigue more quickly in people with MS, creating specific changes to the home environment may not only help the individual to conserve his or her energy, but also increase their chances of prolonged independence.

Some examples include:

• Replacing thick carpet with smooth, nonslip flooring for easier mobility
• Grab bars in the bathroom
• Repositioning furniture to widen pathways throughout the home
• Including items in the tub or shower, such as a handheld shower head, a slip resistant bath mat and a tub or shower seat
• Having a bed rail system (or hospital bed) installed to assist with changing sleeping positions
• Replacing doorknobs throughout the home with door handles, which are much easier to manage

AAging Better can provide home modification recommendations or assist you or your loved one in scheduling modifications to ensure the home becomes a more convenient and safe place.  To learn more about our in-home care services, contact us online or give us a call at 208-777-0308 if you’re calling from the Post Falls, Coeur d’Alene or Hayden areas; 208-263-7889 in the Sandpoint, Bonners Ferry or Priest River areas; or 208-784-1505 if you’re calling from the Kellogg, Pinehurst or Wallace areas.  We would be happy to help in any way possible, either with recommendations or providing a caregiver to come in and accomplish personal or home care services.

Eating a healthy, well-balanced diet is vital for those living with any chronic illness like multiple sclerosis.  Good nutrition, especially adequate calories and high-quality proteins, helps maintain the body’s stores of protein, provides energy, assists in faster wound healing and helps fight infections.  The following are some nutritional guidelines for persons with MS (or any chronic disease):

• Eat a variety of foods from each food group, to include adequate amounts of fresh fruits and vegetables.  Not only are these foods primary sources of antioxidants (substances that prevent cellular damage) but they also provide the bulk of the fiber that’s needed in every diet to maintain a healthy digestive environment.
• Maintain appropriate weight through a proper balance of exercise and caloric intake.
• Choose foods low in saturated fats and cholesterol, unless otherwise directed by your health care provider.  Instead, choose mono-unsaturated and poly-unsaturated fats, such as olive oil and canola oil, for cooking or to drizzle on foods.
• Make a conscious effort to limit how much sugar is eaten throughout the day.  This may sound easy but because sucrose (sugar) is added to many packaged and canned foods in some form, most Americans have no understanding of just how much sugar they ingest on a daily basis.  Breakfast cereal alone can account for significant amounts of sugar consumption every day.  If you enjoy cereals for breakfast, try choosing those that have no added sugar or have only 2-4 grams of sugar per serving.  This will require you to learn to read  labels to determine which products have no sugar or are low in sugar content.  But the increase in health and decreased risk of developing diabetes from lowering sugar intake is well worth the effort.
• Moderate your use of salt.  In general, never add salt at the table.
• If you choose to drink alcoholic beverages, do not consume more than one or two beverages per day. 
• Drink six to eight 8-ounce glasses of water per day, starting with a full glass immediately upon rising in the morning.  That first glass of water helps rehydrate the body and muscles, making for a stronger, better functioning system.
• Limit caffeine consumption.  While the benefits of caffeine are becoming more evident as more research is done on the substance, it is still wise not to overdo caffeine or caffeine-containing beverages, like coffee or tea.  Limit these drinks to no more than 3-4 cups during the day and avoid ingesting caffeine in any form after 2:00 PM in the afternoon.  This will help prevent problems falling asleep at night due to caffeine stimulation.

According to the National MS Society, “While many different diets have been proposed as a treatment, or even a cure, for MS, evidence of their effectiveness is very limited.”  Most MS specialists recommend that people with the disease adhere to a simple, low-fat, high-fiber diet.  Here at AAging Better, our caregivers are trained in healthy nutrition shopping and meal preparation, and can help you or your loved one plan and stick to a healthy, doctor-approved diet plan, if the MS has advanced to a point where the individual needs some help at home.  Our goal is to keep clients safe and effective at home by helping to keep them stay on paths to better nutrition and health, no matter the condition or disease.

To find out more about in-home care for you or your loved one with MS, contact usonline or call us at 208-777-0308 if you’re calling from the Post Falls, Coeur d’Alene or Hayden areas; 208-263-7889 in the Sandpoint, Bonners Ferry or Priest River areas; or 208-784-1505 if you’re calling from the Kellogg, Pinehurst or Wallace areas.  If calling from outside any of these areas, call us toll-free at 877-464-2344 and we’ll be happy to come out for a free in-home assessment to discuss your needs or the needs of your loved one.

 Sources: WebMD and National MS Society 

Have you ever unintentionally offended a person with a disability or did something the person felt was condescending?  In light of the ever-increasing numbers of people in the U.S. today who have missing limbs or are challenged with either acquired or congenital disabilities, it has become easier than ever to make incorrect assumptions about these individual’s abilities.  To help avoid this in the future, the following are some ideas on how to respectfully communicate with individuals with disabilities:

• Don’t judge or assume anything about a person’s disability.  He or she deserves to be treated with dignity and the same respect you would accord to everyone else.  The fact of the matter is that a disabled person may not want or need anyone’s help in a given situation.  One simple solution is to ask:  Opening a door or keeping it open after you’ve gone through ahead of them (without making a big production of it), is one example.  Being in a wheelchair doesn’t mean the person can’t fend for themselves while out in public, or because someone has a speech impediment doesn’t necessarily mean they have a mental impairment.  Spur-of-the-moment assumptions about a disabled person can often be harmful or embarrassing to those involved, rather than helpful.
• Speak directly to the person, not above them.
• If you don’t understand what the person is saying, don’t pretend that you do.  It’s okay to ask them to repeat what was just said.
• Respect personal space and do not lean on the person’s wheelchair or walker or touch a service animal unless receiving permission to do so.
• Don’t patronize.  Nothing is more offensive to human nature than being patronized.
• Be patient.  With a little effort on your part, you will understand what is being said, or the situation will resolve itself as the wheelchair-bound individual gets through the line you happen to be caught in.
• Don’t be afraid to offer assistance, if appropriate, but do not insist or be offended if your offer is not accepted.
• Do not assume the person cannot participate in an activity.  Always give him or her the benefit of the doubt.

AAging Better has provided care for disabled newborns to the very elderly for over 10 years.  If you would like to find out more about how home care can help persons with disabilities stay safely and appropriately at home, rather than be relegated to a nursing home or other care facility, contact us online or give us a call at 208-777-0308 if you’re in the Post Falls, Coeur d’Alene or Hayden areas; 208-263-7889 if in the Sandpoint, Bonners Ferry or Priest River areas; or 208-784-1505 if you’re in the Kellogg, Pinehurst or Wallace areas.  We would be happy to set up a free in-home assessment to discuss your needs or those of your loved one.

Having a disability doesn’t mean losing independence.  Home care agencies can assist persons with disabilities of all ages, providing the care they need to remain safe and independent at home as opposed to moving to a care facility.  The following are a few ways AAging Better In-Home Care can assist.

Home Modifications

Simple home modifications such as grab bars in the bathroom or more complex modifications such as lowering bathroom and kitchen counters for better wheelchair access can make daily activities safer as well as more comfortable.  We can help coordinate finding the right contractors and companies offering these kinds of services.

Connections to Community Resources

There are a number of local community services available in all five north Idaho counties that can make for a more successful in-home care experience.  In addition to the typically requested in-home care services, AAging Better In-Home Care can help identify, locate and coordinate as many of these options as desired.

Care Education

With their wealth of caregiving experience, our in-home caregivers can improve health management through education, as well as assist with family involvement in the disabled loved one’s care.

Exercise

Exercise and activity are important for maintaining health.  AAging Better In-Home Care can coordinate with the client’s physician or physical therapy department and help implement recommended exercise and activity plans.

Meals

Our in-home caregivers can shop for and prepare nutritious and tasty meals for the client, while helping educate on how to maintain a healthy diet.

To learn more about how our home care services can help disabled persons of all ages live more safely and happily at home, contact us online or give us a call at 208-777-0308 if you’re calling from the Post Falls, Coeur d’Alene or Hayden areas; 208-263-7889 in the Sandpoint, Bonners Ferry or Priest River areas; or 208-784-1505 if you’re calling from the Kellogg, Pinehurst or Wallace areas.  We would be happy to provide you with a free in-home assessment to determine your needs and wishes and tell you more about our services and ways we might help.

Did you know that studies show boredom can negatively affect a person’s physical, emotional, and mental health?  Frail seniors or those who live alone may lack daily activities and stimulation, putting them at an increased risk for depression, weight gain, and other mental and physical ailments.  Keeping elderly loved ones engaged physically and mentally can have the following positive effects:

Physical activity can:

• Help prevent certain diseases and disabilities
• Improve mood
• Increase strength and stamina
• Improve heart and lung health
• Improve balance, which in turn helps prevent falls
  

Engagement with art therapy activities can:

• Help the person cope with stress
• Trigger pleasant memories
• Improve fine motor skills
• Regain lost muscle function and coordination

At AAging Better In-Home Care, we work closely with our clients to create activities that appeal to their interests, keep them engaged, and have a positive impact on their daily lives.  If you have a loved one who is in need of daily enrichment activities, contact us at AAging Better In-Home Care online or give us a call at 208-777-0308 if you’re calling from the Post Falls, Coeur d’Alene or Hayden areas; 208-263-7889 in the Sandpoint, Bonners Ferry or Priest River areas; or 208-784-1505 if you’re calling from the Kellogg, Pinehurst or Wallace areas.  We’ll help take your loved one from bored to beaming in no time!

• Activities need to be appropriate for the individual, keeping abilities and limitations in mind.

• Be mindful of the time of day, as most people with Alzheimer’s react very differently in the evening, as compared to the morning.

• Keep the focus of the activity on the enjoyment of it: it is the experience of the activity that is important, not the end result.

• Offer support as needed and provide simple instructions one task at a time.

• Stress a sense of purpose in the activity, such as saying you’d like to send a special thank-you card to someone and then invite the person to join you.

• Substitute an activity for a behavior. If a person with dementia rubs his hand on a table, put a cloth in his hand and encourage him to wipe the table. Or, if he is moving his feet on the floor, play some music so he can tap them to the beat.
  

Some simple, yet engaging activities could include:

• Music: Singing or playing a musical instrument can help stimulate imagination and be a source of great enjoyment.

• Arts and Crafts: Drawing or painting allows a person with Alzheimer’s to communicate without the need for words.
  

• Just for Fun: Try some activities that are just pure fun, like:

◦     Blowing bubbles.

◦     Picking and arranging flowers.

◦     Baking and decorating cupcakes or cookies.

Remember, when interacting with someone with Alzheimer’s disease, there may be days when the activity just doesn’t work, and that’s okay.  Try again with a different activity or on a different day when things are calmer.

At AAging Better In-Home Care, we have a long history of engaging our Alzheimer’s clients and all of our clients, for that matter, with enriching activities that enhance quality of life.  Our caregivers and certified nursing assistants (CNAs) are trained to work carefully with clients of differing levels of dementia or disabilities to ensure we help them achieve the best quality of life possible.

To learn more about our in-home care services, contact us online or give us a call at 208-777-0308 if you’re calling from the Post Falls, Coeur d’Alene or Hayden areas; 208-263-7889 in the Sandpoint, Bonners Ferry or Priest River areas; or 208-784-1505 if you’re calling from the Kellogg, Pinehurst or Wallace areas.  We would be happy to assist you or your loved one or answer any questions you might have about living with Alzheimer’s or other disabilities.

Provided a physician has given approval, the following are simple strength, balance, and flexibility exercises to do at home.

Hip Flexion–strengthens thigh and hip muscles

1. Stand straight, holding onto a tall, stable object for balance, like the top of a high-back chair.
2. Slowly bend one knee toward chest, without bending waist or hips.
3. Hold the knee up for a count of “two.”
4. Slowly lower leg all the way down.
5. Repeat with other leg.

Side Leg Raise, strengthens muscles at sides of hips and thighs

1. Stand straight, directly behind table/chair, feet slightly apart.
2. Hold table/chair for balance.
3. Slowly lift one leg to side, 6-12 inches.
4. Hold position for a count of “two.”
5. Slowly lower leg.
6. Repeat with other leg.
7. Keep back and both knees straight throughout exercise.

Wall Push-ups

1. Place hands flat against the wall.
2. Slowly lower body to the wall.
3. Push body away from wall to return to starting position.

When exercising, always remember:

• Perform each exercise 8 to 10 times, or as tolerated without overdoing it, and gradually work up to a two full sets.
• Complete all movements in a slow, controlled fashion.
• Don’t hold your breath.
• Stop if you feel pain but there should be a sensation of working the muscles.
• Gently stretch each muscle after your workouts.

Staying active helps strengthen a senior’s mind and body, helping him or her stay fit and independent for as long as possible.  However, when injuries, frailty or falls interfere with the activities of daily living, such as, cleaning the house, getting a bath/shower, doing the laundry or shopping for grocers, AAging Better has trained and compassionate caregivers to assist with all of those duties.

We believe in care that is centered around engaging and enjoyable activities with our clients, but when loss of mobility or frailty happen, we’re here to assist.  To learn more about how exercise can improve a senior’s quality of life or about our services to assist those who are no longer mobile, contact us online or give us a call at 208-777-0308 if you’re calling from the Post Falls, Coeur d’Alene or Hayden areas; 208-263-7889 if in the Sandpoint, Bonners Ferry or Priest River areas; or 208-784-1505 if you’re calling from the Kellogg, Pinehurst or Wallace areas.  We’re here to help seniors and the frail stay safely and effectively in their own homes with an enjoyable quality of life.

Middle to later stages of Alzheimer’s are often accompanied by higher levels of anxiety and confusion, so loud or overly stimulating exercises should be avoided.  The “repetitive” exercises such as walking, indoor bicycling or even activities like folding laundry help to decrease these anxiety levels because the senior does not have to make decisions about the activity or remember what to do next.  The more familiar the activity, regardless of level of dementia or disease progression, the easier it is to accomplish a more productive time with the affected individual.

Children’s toys can be good for encouraging hand-eye coordination in individuals with a more advanced level of dementia or Alzheimer’s disease.  These toys should tend to be brightly colored, easy to grasp, and designed for mind-stimulating activity.  Additionally, soft clay-like products or stress balls can be squeezed to help strengthen the hands.

Our professional and carefully trained caregivers at AAging Better can help create engaging exercise routines for you or your loved ones with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease to help keep minds and bodies strong.  If you would like to know more about creating a safe and effective “in-home” exercise plan for a senior family member, contact us online or give us a call at 208-777-0308 if you’re in the Post Falls, Coeur d’Alene or Hayden areas; 208-263-7889 if in the Sandpoint, Bonners Ferry or Priest River areas; or 208-784-1505 if you’re in the Kellogg, Pinehurst or Wallace areas for more information about our home care services.  We would be happy to set up a free in-home assessment to discuss the needs of your loved one or to provide help in other ways that might be needed.

1. What is the name of each medication?  (Make sure to get the proper spelling, as many medications can have very similar sounding names and spellings.)
2. Why should it be taken or what is it for?
3. How often should it be taken and for how long?
4. What foods or other medications should be avoided while taking this medication?
5. Should this medication be taken with meals?
6. What should be done if a dose is missed?
7. What are common side effects?

Taking medications the right way is extremely important (and sometimes critical) in ensuring patients regain their health, stay healthy and reduce possible hospital re-admissions due to medication errors (taking the wrong dose or wrong medication).  Getting answers to these important questions will help you and your loved ones have a better understanding of the prescriptions, what they are for and how to properly take them.

To get further information on how in-home care can help you or your loved ones safely and effectively manage medication schedules, contact us online or give us a call at 208-777-0308 if you’re calling from the Post Falls, Coeur d’Alene or Hayden areas; 208-263-7889 in the Sandpoint, Bonners Ferry or Priest River areas; or 208-784-1505 if your calling from the Kellogg, Pinehurst or Wallace areas.   We have caring and trained caregivers throughout northern Idaho ready to help you or your loved ones with this challenging issue.