Pure Home Care Services

At some point in your caregiving journey, you may need a professional partner — such as a nursing home, assisted living, home health, hospice or adult day care. When considering care providers, you need to weigh the options and ask the right questions to ensure that both you and your loved one feel good about whatever arrangements you make.

Home Health
This is the most flexible of all the options: A professional caregiver will come into your home and provide whatever services you need, whether it’s help with everyday household chores or round-the-clock care for your loved one. A home health-care agency will supply caregivers with the appropriate skills and training to perform needed tasks.

Assisted Living Facilities
These facilities are staffed to provide help to people who need assistance during the day, but are still able to live somewhat independently. The level of assistance provided is generally intermittent and task-specific. For example, your loved one may need help with bathing, meal preparation or taking medications. In most cases, an assisted living facility will not accept a person who is unable to move about on his or her own.

Nursing Homes
There are generally two types of care available in a nursing home — short-term, rehabilitative care and long-term care for chronic conditions. In addition to rehabilitative capabilities, nursing homes are staffed to provide for daily medical needs and can accommodate patients who spend most or all of their time in a bed or a wheelchair. Nursing homes can accommodate patients with a wide variety of conditions, including mild to severe dementia.

Hospice
Hospice is end-of-life care provided by nurses, social workers, home-health aides, spiritual leaders and others. The goal is to keep a terminally ill person as content, comfortable and pain free as possible. Depending on the program, hospice care can be provided at home or in a facility. Services typically extend to support for the entire family, not just the patient.

Adult Day Care
Adult day care programs provide care and socialization for people who need assistance and/or monitoring during the day. The goal is to offer respite to family caregivers, allowing them to go to work, run errands or simply get a break from caregiving chores. Depending on the program, adult day care centers provide social activities, meals and certain health-related services.

Source: AARP.org

Contact Pure Home Care Services at (586) 293-2457 today!  If you live in Warren or the surrounding area, we can help you care for your loved ones.

Study shows lifting weights just once a week helps keep your brain sharp

For older women, the type of exercise you do may be more important than how often you do it.

That’s the message of a surprising new study by Canadian researchers that found that women who started a once-a-week strength-training program were more likely to stick with it — and reap the physical and mental benefits — than those who started a twice-a-week program.

More importantly, older women who built muscle strength through biceps curls, leg lifts, squats and the like showed much greater improvement in mental focus and ability to make decisions and resolve conflicts than women who did only balance and toning exercises.

Published this month in theArchives of Internal Medicine, the study is a one-year follow-up of 155 women ages 65 to 75 who participated in an earlier strength-training exercise program in 2007-2008.

Weight training and the brain

The women in that program were randomly divided into once-weekly and twice-weekly regimens that used dumbbells, weight machines and free-form exercises like squats and lunges to build muscle strength. A control group performed twice-weekly balancing and toning exercises, but no weight lifting. At the end of the 12-month program, both the weight-training groups showed sharply improved mental focus. In the control group, mental function slightly declined.

A year later, researchers again tested the women to determine who had maintained their physical activity level as well as the mental boost they had gotten from exercising during the original program.

“We were very surprised to discover the group that sustained cognitive benefits was the once-weekly strength-training group rather than the twice-weekly training group,” says lead author Teresa Liu-Ambrose of the Centre for Hip Health and Mobility at Vancouver Coastal Health and the University of British Columbia.

Is once a week enough?

Although the twice-weekly group was exercising less a year later, the once-weekly group was still active and showed a 15 percent improvement on their mental skills test as compared with the balance-and-toning group, the researchers found.

Liu-Ambrose believes it’s because the once-weekly group found it easier than the twice-weekly group to maintain the same level of physical activity of the original study. “Those who start a once-weekly strength-training program are more likely to stick with it,” she says.

In other words, while exercising more often may ideally be better for you, ultimately the best exercise program is one that you actually will keep doing.

Source: AARP.org

Contact Pure Home Care Services at (586) 293-2457 today!  If you live in Macomb County or the surrounding area, we can help you care for your loved ones.

What is Assistive Technology?

Assistive technology is any service or tool that helps the elderly or disabled do the activities they have always done but must now do differently. These tools are also sometimes called “adaptive devices.”

Such technology may be something as simple as a walker to make moving around easier or an amplification device to make sounds easier to hear (for talking on the telephone or watching television, for instance). It could also include a magnifying glass that helps someone who has poor vision read the newspaper or a small motor scooter that makes it possible to travel over distances that are too far to walk. In short, anything that helps the elderly continue to participate in daily activities is considered assistive technology.

Just as older people may have many different types of disabilities, many different categories of assistive devices and services are available to help overcome those disabilities. These include the following:

• Adaptive switches. Modified switches that seniors can use to adjust air conditioners, computers, telephone answering machines, power wheelchairs, and other types of equipment. These switches might be activated by the tongue or the voice.
• Communication equipment. Anything that enables a person to send and receive messages, such as a telephone amplifier.
• Computer access. Special software that helps a senior access the Internet, for example, or basic hardware, such as a modified keyboard or mouse, that makes the computer more user friendly.
• Education. Audio books or Braille writing tools for the blind come under this category, along with resources that allow people to get additional vocational training.
• Home modifications. Construction or remodeling work, such as building a ramp for wheelchair access, that allows a senior to overcome physical barriers and live more comfortably with a disability or recover from an accident or injury.
• Tools for independent living. Anything that empowers the elderly to enjoy the normal activities of daily living without assistance from others, such as a handicapped-accessible bathroom with grab bars in the bathtub.
• Job-related items. Any device or process that a person needs to do his or her job better or easier. Examples might include a special type of chair or pillow for someone who works at a desk or a back brace for someone who does physical labor.
• Mobility aids. Any piece of equipment that helps a senior get around more easily, such as a power wheelchair, wheelchair lift, or stair elevator.
• Orthotic or prosthetic equipment. A device that compensates for a missing or disabled body part. This could range from orthopedic shoe inserts for someone who has fallen arches to an artificial arm for someone whose limb has been amputated.
• Recreational assistance. New methods and tools to enable people who have disabilities to enjoy a wide range of fun activities. Examples include swimming lessons provided by recreational therapists or specially equipped skis for seniors who have lost a limb as a result of accident or illness.
• Seating aids. Any modifications to regular chairs, wheelchairs, or motor scooters that help a person stay upright or get up and down unaided or that help to reduce pressure on the skin. This could be something as simple as an extra pillow or as complex as a motorized seat.
• Sensory enhancements. Anything that makes it easier for those who are partially or fully blind or deaf to better appreciate the world around them. For instance, a telecaption decoder for a TV set would be an assistive device for a senior who is hard of hearing.
• Therapy. Equipment or processes that help someone recover as much as possible from an illness or injury. Therapy might involve a combination of services and technology, such as having a physical therapist use a special massage unit to restore a wider range of motion to stiff muscles.
• Transportation assistance. Devices for elderly individuals that make it easier for them to get into and out of their cars or trucks and drive more safely, such as adjustable mirrors, seats, and steering wheels. Services that help the elderly maintain and register their vehicles, such as a drive-up window at the department of motor vehicles, would also fall into this category.

What are the Benefits of Assistive Technology?

For many seniors, assistive technology makes the difference between being able to live independently and having to get long-term nursing or home-health care. For others, assistive technology is critical to the ability to perform simple activities of daily living, such as bathing and going to the bathroom.

According to a 1993 study conducted by the National Council on Disability, 80 percent of the elderly persons who used assistive technology were able to reduce their dependence on others. In addition, half of those surveyed reduced their dependence on paid helpers, and half were able to avoid entering nursing homes. Assistive technology can also reduce the costs of care for the elderly and their families. Although families may need to make monthly payments for some pieces of equipment, for many, this cost is much less than the cost of home-health or nursing-home care.

Source: Eldercare.gov

Contact Pure Home Care Services at (586) 293-2457 today!  If you live in Macomb County or the surrounding area, we can help you care for your loved ones.

What are Home Modifications?

Home modifications are changes made to adapt living spaces to meet the needs of people with physical limitations so that they can continue to live independently and safely. These modifications may include adding assistive technology or making structural changes to a home. Modifications can range from something as simple as replacing cabinet doorknobs with pull handles to full-scale construction projects that require installing wheelchair ramps and widening doorways.

Why Do Seniors Need Home Modifications?

The main benefit of making home modifications is that they promote independence and prevent accidents. According to a recent AARP housing survey, “83% of older Americans want to stay in their current homes for the rest of their lives,” but other studies show that most homes are not designed to accommodate the needs of people over age 65. Most older people live in homes that are more than 20 years old. As these buildings get older along with their residents, they may become harder to live in or maintain. A house that was perfectly suitable for a senior at age 55, for example, may have too many stairs or slippery surfaces for a person who is 70 or 80. According to the National Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, each year thousands of older Americans fall at home.

Where Do You Begin?

Before you make home modifications, you should evaluate your current and future needs by going through your home room by room and answering a series of questions to highlight where changes might be made.

You can begin your survey by examining each area of your home and asking the following questions:

Appliances, Kitchen, Bathroom

• Are cabinet doorknobs easy to use?
• Are stove controls easy to use and clearly marked?
• Are faucets easy to use?
• Are there grab bars where needed?
• Are all appliances and utensils conveniently and safely located?
• Can the oven and refrigerator be opened easily?
• Can you sit down while working?
• Can you get into and out of the bathtub or shower easily?
• Is the kitchen counter height and depth comfortable for you?
• Is the water temperature regulated to prevent scalding or burning?

Closets, Storage Spaces

• Are your closets and storage areas conveniently located?
• Can you reach items in the closet easily?
• Do you have enough storage space?

Doors, Windows

• Are your doors and windows easy to open and close?
• Are your door locks sturdy and easy to operate?
• Are your doors wide enough to accommodate a walker or wheelchair?
• Do your doors have peepholes or viewing?

Driveway, Garage

• Does your garage door have an automatic opener?
• Is your parking space always available?
• Is your parking space close to the entrance of your home?

Electrical Outlets, Switches, Safety Devices

• Are light or power switches easy to turn on and off?
• Are electrical outlets easy to reach?
• Are the electrical outlets properly grounded to prevent shocks?
• Are your extension cords in good condition?
• Can you hear the doorbell in every part of the house?
• Do you have smoke detectors throughout your home?
• Is the telephone readily available for emergencies?
• Would you benefit from having an assistive device to make it easier to hear and talk on the telephone?

Floors

• Are all of the floors in your home on the same level?
• Are steps up and down marked in some way?
• Are all floor surfaces safe and covered with non-slip or non-skid materials?
• Do you have scatter rugs or doormats that could be hazardous?

Hallways, Steps, Stairways

• Are hallways and stairs in good condition?
• Do all of your hallways and stairs have smooth, safe surfaces?
• Do your stairs have steps that are big enough for your whole foot?
• Do you have handrails on both sides of the stairway?
• Are your stair rails wide enough for you to grasp them securely?
• Would you benefit from building a ramp to replace the stairs or steps inside or outside of your home?

Lighting, Ventilation

• Do you have night lights where they are needed?
• Is the lighting in each room sufficient for the use of the room?
• Is the lighting bright enough to ensure safety?
• Is each room well-ventilated with good air circulation?

Once you have explored all the areas of your home that could benefit from remodeling, you might make a list of potential problems and possible solutions.

If you live in Macomb or the surrounding area, contact Pure Home Care Services at (586) 293-2457 today to see what we can do for you!

Source:  Eldercare.gov

As we age and live longer, financial, legal, health care and long term care issues affect families, not just individuals.

The overview below addresses some key areas of concern, suggested questions to ask, and ways in which families might initiate conversations about these often difficult to discuss topics with their aging parents.

Key Considerations…

1. Find out what financial benefits are provided by your parents’ Social Security and pension. Determine if they are eligible for other financial programs.
2. Be certain each family member has a living will. Know where all your parents’ insurance policies, wills, trust documents, tax returns, investment and banking records are located.
3. Understand that Medicare generally does not cover long term care (e.g. nursing home or extended home care), and Medicaid pays only for low-income individuals.
4. Investigate what type of long term care insurance coverage may be best for your parents or for yourself! Generally, premiums are lower when policies are purchased at younger ages.
5. Identify what community services are available that can help your parents maintain independence in the home for as long as possible — such as home modification programs that can install assistive devices (i.e., bathroom rails and entry ramps), and home health and chore assistance. Learn whether housing options are available to meet their changing needs.

Family members may not understand how their parents’ estate planning could impact their own financial status as well as that of their children.

Conversation Checklist

Financial Organization

There are many financial resources that your loved one might already be receiving or be eligible for. Social Security is the federal program that provides retirees a regular income based on work history, and benefits to disabled workers. Long-time workers usually have pensions that are retirement compensation plans either fully managed by the employer, or involve employee contributions, such as Tax-Deferred Annuities (TDAs) or Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs). Ask…

• What type of retirement income do you receive?
• Are pension savings from all jobs over the years being collected?
• Is there a need to apply for Supplemental Security Income benefits?
• Who can access your important financial information in case of emergency?
• Where do you keep these important documents?

Legal Preparation

Wills and power of attorney may not be topics your relatives want to discuss. However, these issues need to be addressed before it’s too late to make sure that their assets are properly taken care of and that their medical treatment preferences are known. Ask…

• Do you have a will?
• Have you executed a durable power of attorney or considered who you might want to handle your finances or health care decisions in the event that you are unable to so?
• Are important legal documents up to date?
• Where are these important documents kept?
• What other legal matters are you concerned about?

Health Insurance

Health care is a high-cost necessity, so it is crucial to know what is available to meet your family member’s needs, and what they are eligible to receive. Most adults over age 65 are covered by Medicare, the federal health insurance program that helps pay medical expenses for older Americans and younger people with disabilities. But Medicare does not cover all needs, and Supplemental Insurance (also called Medigap insurance) might be necessary to cover additional health costs. Ask…

• As your health status changes, are you prepared to meet your long term health care needs?
• Do you have proper health insurance coverage (not too much or too little)?
• Are you comfortably able to pay for prescription drugs and other out-of pocket health care costs?
• Who are your doctors and how can they be contacted?
• Where do you keep your insurance card, Medicare information, and other important health care documents?

Community Services

One of the most useful forms of help that adult children can provide for their parents is information about community resources that are available to enhance their independence. Services like home modification are available to help reduce the risk of accidents and make daily household activities more comfortable to perform. Emergency Response Systems not only summon emergency help quickly, but can also increase the feeling of security within the home. Transportation services may be available to assist older adults who need help getting to appointments with their doctor. Ask…

• Are there house repairs or modifications needed that will help you, such as installing bathtub railings, an emergency response system, or other assistive devices?
• Do you need assistance with housekeeping, shopping or personal care activities?
• If you become homebound, would you need home-delivered meals?
• Do you need transportation? What services are available in your community?
• Do you anticipate needing other living arrangements in the future?

If you live in the Warren area, contact Pure Home Care to discuss what we can do for you.  Our knowledgeable, caring staff is waiting for your call! Our number is (586) 293-2457.

Source:  Eldercare.gov

Aging sometimes means reduced balance, coordination, vision, strength and agility. These factors, along with certain medications and even our home environment, can increase our risk of falling.

Ground-level falls are a major health problem for people 65 and older. An estimated 30% of people in this age group fall each year, resulting in hospitalization, permanent disability, and sometimes death. In fact, injuries related to falls are the sixth leading cause of death for seniors, and annual health care costs associated with falls are approximately $10 billion dollars. Once a person has experienced a fall, a “falls cycle” can begin in which the individual experiences an ongoing fear of falling, which can result in decreased activity, loss of strength and mobility, and an increased risk of falling.

Fall Predictors
Being aware of the common risk factors and taking precautions helps lower the overall risk. One or more of the following factors can place a person at a moderate to high risk for a fall:

• Prior fall history
• Poor, uncorrected vision
• Parkinson’s disease, untreated diabetes, and obesity
• Use of medications that can cause drowsiness, dizziness, low blood pressure and weakness
• Use of multiple medications
• Poorly fitting shoes and slippers
• A cluttered, poorly lit home with multiple levels
• Slick or wet floors, throw rugs, electrical or other cords in walk ways

What You Can Do to Reduce Your Risk of Falling
A simple test called “Get-up and Go” can additionally help predict the risk of a fall by determining one’s mobility. ² It’s easy to perform. All you need is a straight-backed chair with armrests. Make sure the chair has a high seat. Then have the individual complete the following steps:

• Rise to a standing position from the chair, using the armrests
• Stand still momentarily
• Walk 10 feet
• Turn slowly
• Walk back to the chair
• Turn around
• Sit down

A successful test occurs if the person completes this in 20 seconds or less. Those passing this test may be considered at low risk when other risk factors are absent.

Some medications can place a person at risk for having a fall. The following are some of the most common fall-associated medications:     Sleep medications, pain medications, anti-anxiety medications, anti-allergy medications, high blood pressure medications, water retention medications, anti-depressants, overactive bladder medications, and tranquilizer medications.

How can you reduce your risk of having a fall that might be caused by medication?

• Take your time. Stop for a moment before getting up. Stand slowly to be sure that you have your balance and aren’t light-headed — then walk. This allows your blood pressure to normalize and helps prevent orthostatic hypotension (also known as a head rush or a dizzy spell).
• Use the bathroom before bed. If you are taking a diuretic, schedule your last dose a few hours before going to bed. Also, leave a soft light on that illuminates your pathway to bathroom in case you need to get up during the night.
• Avoid alcoholic beverages in excess.
• Exercise regularly. Exercise strengthens important muscle groups and improves your balance and coordination. Ask your health care provider about the best type of exercise for you.
• Make your home safer. Inspect each room of your home for safety hazards such as poor lighting, obstructed walkways, throw rugs, cords and other obstacles that could cause you to trip. Place regularly used items within reach so you don’t require a ladder or stool. Install anti-slip mats and grab bars in showers and bathtubs.
• Have your vision checked regularly. Get an up-to-date prescription and treat physical conditions such as glaucoma or cataracts that can weaken your vision.
• Get checked for osteoporosis. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about the need for calcium and vitamin D.

Pure Home Care Services serves Macomb and the surrounding area.  Our helpful, caring staff is ready to help you and your family.  Give us a call! Our number is (586) 293-2457.

Source:  AARP.org

As parents grow older, they face challenges that their adult children may not know how to address. The children may support their parents’ desire to continue living independently, but have concerns about their safety and well-being. One way to help resolve these conflicting emotions, and determine if the parents need assistance, is through an assessment.

What Is an Assessment?
An assessment is a comprehensive review of a person’s mental, physical, environmental and financial condition. This helps to establish his or her ability to remain safely independent and identifies risks and ways to reduce them.

The Goal of Assessment
A thorough assessment should yield a plan for meeting needs and addressing problems. The findings may help your parents decide a change —- like moving or getting in-home assistance — is necessary for their safety and well-being. An assessment also may lead to resolutions that allow a parent to remain independent longer. A good plan can mean fewer accidents and illnesses, a longer life, improved quality of life and greater independence. It is important to include your parents in the discussion and decision-making about their options once the assessment is complete; involving them in the process should help them feel more comfortable with the outcome.

How to Assess
Families can conduct assessments on their own but may want to hire an experienced professional to lead them through this process. Some hospitals and clinics offer geriatric assessment centers or evaluation units in which a medical/social work team looks at all aspects of an older person’s health and life. The center will counsel your parents and you about the results, and offer practical assistance, such as linking them with local services and housing options. Individual geriatric care managers, also called case managers, provide similar services. Also check with your local agency on aging for information about locating professionals who can help you.

What to Assess
Professional assessments can take a few hours to several days and vary depending on the level of care needed. All assessments should include a thorough review of your loved one’s physical and mental health; medication use; daily routine; home and community safety; support system; appearance and hygiene; finances and personal interests.

After your parent has been evaluated and you decide that home care is necessary, call Pure Home Care Services in Sterling Heights…we’re ready to lend a helping hand! Our number is (586) 293-2457.

Source:  AARP.org

We provide three levels of care, which can be altered to meet both current and future specific in-home needs.

Pure Plan One – Complete Personal Care offers personal services such as bathing, dressing, grooming, and oral care. The focus is on maintaining independence with a Pure helping hand.

Pure Plan Two – Quality of Life Assistance Services include light housekeeping, meal preparation, medication reminders and companionship. This care plan includes pre-and-post-natal care for new parents.

Pure Plan Three – Transportation Services provide safe, timely transportation to and from the doctor, pharmacy and hospital, as well as shopping, banking, and other errands.