Pre-Planning a Plus

In terms of caregiving, we are often thrust into a situation that is going to change things for our families logistically, financially and emotionally. We have to keep in mind to react to our new situation logically. The key to this is to research all available elder care options before making a hasty decision that will affect both our lives and the lives of our loved ones. There are several different types of elder care facilities that are available and some factors to look at when making your decision include:

• What does each facility have to offer?
• How much do the facilities cost?
• How will these costs increase based on level of care needed by your parent or loved one?
• How does each facility measure up in terms of quality of care?
• What option is going to work best for one or both of your parents?

But why should the burden be left on you to make these decisions? Sitting down with your parents or loved ones to discuss and pre-plan what methods will be used if/when the time for caregiving comes will alleviate stress for both them and for you. This should be a process and not a single discussion that requires a definitive outcome. Let your parents be involved as much as possible for it is their every day lives that are being discussed. Here are some topics to think about during these talks.

• Your parent(s) health and finances
• Needs / wants for socialization
• Risk and value of moving versus "aging in place"
• Size and style of facilities to suit your parents needs (smaller care homes, residential communities for the elderly, assisted living and continued care retirement communities)

Planning and preparedness will help all involved with this emotional time. Having a plan of action in place will allow you to worry about things of more importance such as the health of your loved one and what you can do to continue to make them comfortable during these trying times.

History Repeats Itself

In the late 70s and early 80s, large numbers of women returned to the workplace on a full time basis. This led to a boom in the child care industry as many facilities popped up across the United States to fill the need for two income families. The child care industry increase from just under 300,000 child-care workers in 1985 to just over 800,000 workers in 2007.

History is repeating itself but this time around, the increase is in the amount of senior caregivers and facilities across our nation. According to Home Instead Senior Care, it appears that the senior care industry is following the trends of the child-care boom. Personal and home care nurses and aides are expected to grow by more than 50 percent between the years 2006 and 2016. This is an increase in jobs from 767,000 to 1.5 million according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Personal aides who help seniors at home with meal preperation, light housekeeping and general companionship is the second fastest growing occupation in the industry.

Boomers have been the key in fueling both industries. It was their children that boomed child-care and it is now their parents that are creating the need for new services and regulations for the elderly. This "sandwich" generation is the stimulus for industry growths and declines. Who knows if we will ever see this type of history repeat itself with future generations.

Help is Out There

Taking on the responsibilities of being a caregiver has a stressful impact on your every day life. Often, the caregiver ignores their own personal health issues and well-being to provide the best care for their loved one. They feel as if they every thing needs to be done by them and believe that they have failed if they are unable to stay on top of these additional duties. Many first time caregivers are unaware of the help network that is available to them in their communities and on-line.

A growing business sector is designed to assist caregivers and let them know that they are not alone with the feelings that they are experiencing. New companies in Dallas include a business that helps families draw up plans for how an elderly parents will be cared for when the time comes for needed assistance. Another company lines up care for the serious and chronically ill when their families do not know where to go next.

Non-profit organizations can also help address caregiver questions. This month, the American Cancer Society is offering a telephone workshop called Coping with Caregiving: Recognizing Depression & Anxiety. The next scheduled time for this workshop is Thursday, February 19th from 7:00 to 8:15 Eastern Standard time. Future workshops with similar topics are planned in March, April and May.

Even our company site, www.fenwaymedical.com, is designed with the caregiver in mind as we offer advice on how to cope with these new responsibilities. We also offer certain lines of supply products that can be delivered directly and discretely to the home. As with all of the aforementioned businesses and organizations, Fenway Medical wants to help and support you as you learn how important you are to someone else.

Love is in the Air

Today is Valentine's Day and love is in the air for couples of all ages. A quick glance at some senior news media outlets shows that today's amourous activities are not just celebrated by those who are young at heart. Here's a sampling

• A senior citizen's Valentine's Day dance in Omaha held this past Tuesday
• A senior citizen's dance that drew more than 150 seniors to the University of North Carolina-Wilmington
• A high school in Arizona has re-created a senior prom for senior citizens in their area to attend
• A Best Chocolate Dessert contest was held at a senior center in Texas
• A Valentine's Day cookie decorating party involving seniors and young children in Iowa

I could go on and on with this list of activities that are happening all over the world. This is proof that aging does nothing to inhibit the feeling of being loved. Studies show that most people the ages of 57 to 85 feel that a relationship and sexuality are an important part of life.

If you are a caregiver, take a little extra time today to tell your parent or loved one how much they mean to you. Also, take some time for the one that you should care for and love the most..yourself. Happy Valentine's Day!

Wave of the Future?

A sheriff in Genesee County, MI has teamed up with an Elder Care Abuse & Prevention program to utilize technology to care for elderly loved ones. Small GPS devices are being used with patients who have Alzheimer's and/or dementia. An unfortunate result of memory loss associated with these illnesses is the tendency for the person to wander. If not monitored by a caregiver or if the appropriate alarms or securities are not in place, a patient can wander from the home. When this happens, the results can often be tragic.

A total of 50 devices were purchased using federal grants and distributed by the prevention program. They attach to the senior's clothing with a clip and the light weight of the device (less than 3 ounces) does not hinder movement for the user. Caregivers, loved ones and even emergency services can go to a web site to monitor the exact location of the GPS.

Time will tell if this technology will catch on in other communities but with the aging of our society, the future is now.

Call Your Grandma

Today is my Grandma's birthday so I gave her a call earlier this evening. We sang happy birthday to her and she proceeded to tell me about her busy day. An orchid show, a trip to a candy factory and lunch with her sister..all very grandmotherly things to do. She was very happy to hear from me and very open with what she has been doing. I, of course, introduced myself at the beginning of the conversation but there is a scheme going around called Grandparent Scams that preys upon the elderly and their friendliness and often, lonliness.

Theives call a random phone number and hope to hear an elderly voice on the other end. If they reach their target, they start into a normal "how's it going" conversation and bombard your loved one with information and stories. This builds a comfort level with the senior and often makes them forget that the caller forgot to introduce themselves. After a few minutes of small talk, the thief begins their pitch. They tell made-up stories of hardship and how if they had a little money they would be able to turn the corner and set things straight. They often add the line, "please don't tell mom or dad or anyone else as I don't want them to know" to assure anonymity. When your confused loved one agrees to send some money, they send them a set delivery address and never call again.

Don't let your loved one be vicitmized by this scam. Though this may sound like a far fetched scam to those of us who are of good mind, an eldely person's cognitive senses can be muddled and confused. As a caregiver, let your parent know to watch out for theives like these as not all callers are phoning to wish you a Happy Birthday.

Elderly and the Internet

When we started Fenway Medical, we wanted to design a web site for baby boomers who have taken on the responsbility of caring for their parent at home. We wanted www.fenwaymedical.com to be a place where medical and incontinence supplies could be ordered and shipped directly and discretely to your home. We also wanted our site to be a place where adults could go for caregiving advice since the majority of them would be taking on this change for the first time. Skeptics of our business, some of our own family members included, stated that our target audience is not internet saavy enough to utilize our services. Statements were made that the elderly and not so affluent population did not even have access to computers to gather the information that we provide.
A recent study by the Pew Research Center out of Washington DC shows that this is not the case. In research done from 2005 to 2008, the popluation ages 70-75 have increased their internet useage by 19%. One-fourth of this demographic was on-line in 2005 compared to 46% being on-line in 2008. Most elderly users access the internet for e-mail but as they become more familiar with the format, they will visit sites and informational pages such as Fenway Medical's. It is this audience and this demographic that we know will change as the world changes and who we hope we can provide with services that they need.

One Step Away

When creating the Fenway Medical web site, I was aiming for a specific target audience of baby boomers who are now taking care of their elderly parents at home. During the process though, I have learned first hand that caregivers are not only tending to the needs of an older loved one.
My best friend in life has recently been overcome by frequent panic attacks and mild depression. Always a traveller and someone who has a zest for life, the past few months have taken their toll. I have been thrust into the caregiver role. Due to uncertainty about public places, I now am in charge of tasks such as shopping and picking up carry out. Frequent tiredness has required that I take on additional responsibilities around the house and in our friend circles.
I have learned several things during this experience. The first is to respect what your loved one brings to a relationship and the little things that they offer every day. Second, you need to take care of yourself. My site has published frequent advice on the health of the actual caregiver and how you need to also look after yourself. Maybe I didn't fully buy into this when just writing the words but now I understand. You may not feel that you have enough time in the day but as a caregiver you need to remember to care for you. And, if you are not currently a caregiver, keep in mind to look after yourself if you are given these responsibilities as we are all just one step away from being the rock that they look to for guidance.

Good news for Seniors in the Stimulus Plan

There is potential good news for the elderly population included in the $900 billion stimulus package that President Obama has taken to the Senate. Should the package pass without change, seniors who receive Social Security benefits would receive a $300 payment from the government. A $300 check would also be sent to those covered under the Supplemental Security Income program for elderly and disabled people living in poverty. These checks are a one time only payment but any little bit can help seniors and their caregivers in today's economy.

Helping with Exercise

I just posted a new article in the Advice section of my site, www.fenwaymedical.com, detailing a study published by NIH (National Institutes of Health) about exercise and the elderly. A case study was done using diagnosed obese men and women, ages 60 to 80, that shows that increased aerobic activity, resistance training and a healthy diet increases motor skills and decreases the risk of diabetes in the elderly. Check it out with the rest of the caregiver advice that we have to offer.

A Caregiver's Checklist

At Fenway Medical, we offer not only bulk medical supplies to our site visitors but also an advice section that caregivers can utilize for helpful information and insight on current caregiver news. Here is an example of a caregiver "checklist" posted at www.fenwaymedical.com.

Assessing Their Needs
Does your parent need help with grooming, bathing, or dressing?
Does your parent need help with housekeeping, shopping, or yard work?
Does your friend need help planning or preparing meals?
Is your parent unable to drive or get around on public transportation alone?
Does your parent need help managing finances and paying bills?
Does your parent need help making legal and other important decisions?
Does your parent have trouble functioning at home? Would modifications help?
Does your parent have trouble with hearing, vision, or memory?

Get Permission
Financial power of attorney to make financial decisions and pay bills
Living will to make life-support decisions
Medical power of attorney to make health care decisions
Durable power of attorney to make legal decisions
Access to safe deposit box
May choose to be added to deeds and mortgages
May need to be added to automobile insurance
Know the person's wishes (medical treatments, funeral, finances, etc.)

Information to Have on HandI

Insurance (Medicare / Medicaid number, supplement, other policies)
Doctors (names, phone numbers, and other contact information)
Medical history (medications, allergies, conditions, procedures)
Identification (social security, military ID, driver's license numbers)
Address list (friends, neighbors, family)
Service providers (attorney, financial advisor, clergy, accountant)
Financial (account numbers, checkbook, investments, tax records)
Legal (wills, powers of attorney, health care directive)
Deeds (house, other property, car title, boat title)
Insurance (life, medical, auto, homeowner's)
Household (mortgage, apartment lease, property tax records)
Vital records (birth certificate, marriage license, divorce decree)
Final wishes (organ donation, burial, property distribution)

Make Sure that You
Respect your parent's independence, even while taking care of them
Allow your parent to make as many decisions as appropriate
Have reasonable expectations of what your parent can do independently

Talk regularly with your parent about their concerns, desires, and frustrations
Make informed decisions that are in the best interest of your parent's needs
Show compassion while you are trying to be efficient and responsible

Taking Care of Yourself
Recognize when you are getting worn out and need a break
Make use of support groups, family, and other caregivers in your situation
Take regular breaks to do something enjoyable for yourself

Welcome to Fenway Medical

Thank you for visiting the Fenway Medical blog. We hope to offer professional insight into the growing world of elderly home care and provide you with the information that you need to take care of yourself as well as your loved one.
With more of us taking care of our parents outside a professional setting, we understand that your responsibilities are constantly changing and your valuable time is limited. Fenway Medical offers efficiency and value with our bulk medical supplies and we also are a professional advice source to help you with your care-giving. We appreciate your interest and look forward to helping you with your medical supply questions and needs.
Please come see what we have to offer at www.fenwaymedical.com.