5 Ways Home Health Aides Can Help Make Family Caregiving Easier

With many people taking on the role of family caregiver to keep their loved one in the comfort of their home, it’s important to provide family caregivers with support. Life is demanding for family caregivers, and here are just some of the ways that home care can provide essential assistance.

1. Professional support without the cost of assisted living: Home care services bridge the gap between family caregiving and assisted living, helping caregivers and loved ones access care when needed without the commitment and expense of assisted living.
2. Home comforts: This brings one of the biggest benefits to seniors and their families. Assistance by a home health aide helps you to keep your loved one at home in their own comfortable and familiar surroundings and in the community they love, which is ideal for seniors with nearby friends and relatives.
3. Scalable services: Among their biggest worries, family caregivers fear that one day they will be faced with a challenge they cannot handle, whether it requires special training or a clash of important commitments. When family caregiving becomes too much to handle, a home health aide offers an easy, compassionate transition into professional care.
4. Daily help: An important role of a family caregiver is to provide emotional support and companionship, but this can easily be lost under a mountain of daily chores and mundane, but essential tasks. A home health aide can take on this side of caregiving with ease, letting you focus on quality time with your loved one.
5. Spotting wellness issues early: Home health aides are trained to monitor the wellbeing of their client, keeping track of medications and current health issues, as well as spotting new developments and report any changes to the registered nurse in charge of your loved ones’ care. This expertise ensures that your loved one gets the right treatment early on, helping to reduce and prevent costly treatments and hospital visits.
6. Professional home care in New Jersey – The affordable, high-quality wellness option 

At United Methodist Communities HomeWorks, we’re proud to offer home health aide services to assist family caregivers and their senior loved ones. Whether your loved one needs round-the-clock care, companionship or assistance with daily chores and grooming, we can  help with professional support. Our home health aides are trained, certified and experienced in senior care, and we offer our services at affordable rates scaled to your requirements. We can assist you with respite care, overnight care, hourly or live in care, as well as provide experienced care for Alzheimer’s and dementia patients.

For more information on our home health aide services for the elderly, please contact us todayat https://homeworks.umcommunities.org/.

Original content posted on https://homeworks.umcommunities.org/blog/5-ways-home-health-aides-can-help-make-family-caregiving-easier/

Seniors and Cataracts

As we age, we can experience certain health and wellness changes that affect our senses, including our ability to see clearly. Cataracts is a common vision problem often associated with getting older. Here’s some insight from specialists in assisted living in Gloucester County, NJ.

What are cataracts? 

Cataracts is a condition in which the lens of the eye becomes cloudy due to blockages of protein and hardening, distorting the light that enters the eye and causing vision loss. As the condition progresses, the lens of the eye changes from clear to a yellow/brown color, which starts to add a brown tint to eyesight along with vision loss. They can occur in either or both eyes, but cannot be transmitted from one eye to the other.

Signs and symptoms of cataracts 

Although not painful, it does cause gradual vision loss that, if left untreated, can lead to blindness. People with cataracts may experience:

• Blurry vision
• Glare
• Faded colors or difficulty telling colors apart
• Difficulty seeing at night
• Double vision
• Halo effect around objects

What can cause cataracts? 

Cataracts are generally a result of the aging process, but the risks of developing them can be significantly increased in smokers, diabetics and steroid users. People who have suffered chemical burns or a direct injury to the eye, or electric shock can also develop cataracts as a result.

How can cataracts be treated?

Fortunately, there are ways to treat cataracts, the most effective being surgery. With modern surgical technology, treatment can take place soon after diagnosis, and the damaged lens can be removed and replaced with a permanent plastic lens. The results of this surgery are impressive, restoring clear vision almost immediately with a quick recovery time.

Experience true quality of life care – Choose assisted living at Pitman, NJ 

Pitman is an assisted living community in Gloucester County, NJ, offering high quality assisted living services in a comfortable, well-supported and beautiful environment. As part of the United Methodist Communities network, we also offer hospice, rehabilitation, respite care and memory support services. We welcome seniors from all faith backgrounds.

To find out more about our assisted living community, please contact us today or book a personal tour on https://pitman.umcommunities.org/.

Original content posted on https://umcommunities.org/blog/seniors-and-cataracts/ 

What is Sitting Disease?

Unlike its name, Sitting Disease isn’t an actual disease – it’s a term used to cover the more than 30 chronic health conditions associated with sedentary behavior, like sitting.

Statistics from the Mayo Clinic show that Americans are spending more and more time indulging these behaviors, with 50% to 70% of people spending more than 6 hours a day in a sitting position and 20% to 35% of people spending more than 4 hours a day in front of the television. The study found direct links between a sedentary lifestyle and a shortened lifespan – in fact, by reducing your TV time to less than two hours a day, you can add 1.4 years onto your lifespan!

These concerns are even more serious for sedentary elderly people, as they are more at risk than ever before of developing serious health conditions, including diabetes, physical disabilities, cognitive decline, osteoporosis, heart disease and even certain cancers.

Staying active through your senior years 

Walking is great for your health and by far the most
popular low-impact exercise for older adults.

While the best way to prevent Sitting Disease is to live a more active life throughout your adult years, there is still much that you can do to reduce your risks as a senior. With the help of a specialist, you can determine how much exercise you need and how vigorously you need to exercise in order to gain a good fitness level. It’s also important to remember that ‘exercise’ doesn’t only mean going for a run – there are plenty of alternative physical activities for seniors that are safe and fun, for example:

• Dance classes
• Gardening
• Aerobics
• Yoga
• Nature walks

When it comes to fighting Sitting Disease, it’s also the little things that matter, from taking the stairs instead of waiting for the lift to choosing a walk to the shops over an hour in front of the television.

By getting into a routine of regular exercise, seniors also benefit from healthy weight loss, muscle development, and even stress reduction, all bringing a better quality of life.

Affordable and compassionate help for seniors at home

At United Methodist Communities, we strive to offer the very best quality senior care options, from assisted living to in-home senior care through our HomeWorks program. This program is about assisting seniors in the comfort of their own homes and providing them, their families and caregivers with personalized, compassionate care that prioritizes health, happiness, and independence. For more information on our at home care for seniors, contact us today.

This post originally appeared on https://umcommunities.org/blog/what-is-sitting-disease/

Bringing Awareness to Alcoholism in Seniors

April is Alcohol Awareness Month, so we’re talking about the issues surrounding seniors and alcohol abuse. As a leading CCRC in Sussex County, New Jersey, we’re dedicated to a high quality of resident life  that includes bringing awareness about this concerning issue.

Alcoholism in seniors is easily overlooked 

According to the National Institute on Aging, although alcoholism is an issue in every age group, it is commonly overlooked by family members, friends and even caregivers when it affects seniors. In fact, statistics show that around 40% of seniors age 65 and older drink alcohol. Although seniors are legally entitled to drink, it’s important to know that our bodies process alcohol very differently as we age, increasing the effect on  our balance, motor and bodily functions. This means that seniors feel the effects of an alcoholic drink far more rapidly and severely than they experienced at a younger age. This can be further exacerbated by conflicts with medications as well as health problems, especially diseases that affect the liver.

Risks of alcohol abuse in seniors 

Seniors with alcohol abuse issues face increased health and wellness risks, including:

• An increased risk of falls – Leading to broken bones, severe bruising, emergency hospital treatment and increased frailty.
• Increased risk of accidents – This includes car and other accidents caused by increased confusion, poor reaction times and other sobriety issues.
• Worsening medical conditions – Certain medical conditions are negatively affected by alcohol, including diabetes, osteoporosis, mood disorders, high blood pressure, liver problems, congestive heart failure, and memory problems.
• Dangerous interactions with medication – Including aspirin; sleeping pills; cough syrup; and pain, anti-anxiety,  anti-depression and allergy medications.

How much alcohol is too much? 

Everyone has a different reaction to alcohol, but the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism recommends that adults over 65 who do not take medications have no more than seven drinks per week.

Signs that your loved one may be suffering from alcohol abuse or alcoholism include:

• Drinking to cope with concerns or to feel better.
• Losing interest in food, but drinking very quickly.
• Trying to hide drinking habits, or lying about how much they have consumed.
• Negative mood changes when away from alcohol.
• Increased conflicts, mood changes or physical confrontations when drinking.

If you suspect that you or your loved one is drinking too much, don’t hesitate to talk to a professional and join a senior treatment program.

Get the best out of your golden years with independent senior living in Sussex County, New Jersey 

Bristol Glen is an independent senior living community based in Sussex County. As part of United Methodist Communities, we’re dedicated to providing seniors with comfortable, serviced living arrangements that free up your time to enjoy life. Founded on a philosophy of aging-in-place, our residents enjoy a less restrictive care model and do not have to move from their residential apartments to access additional services as their needs change.

Contact us to find out more about our living accommodations, amenities and services at https://bristolglen.umcommunities.org/.

Original content posted on https://umcommunities.org/blog/bringing-awareness-alcoholism-seniors/

Legal and Financial Tips When Considering Assisted Living

So, you’ve decided that moving into an assisted living community is the right choice for you or your loved one — now you have to start getting ready for the transition. While everyone thinks of what furniture they should take, how to sell their house or how to decorate and plan their new space, many people forget to consider their financial and legal wellbeing. Here are some tips from our assisted living community in Camden County, NJ:

• Create a medical directive. Also known as a Medical Power of Attorney, this  legal document allows you to give a person of your choosing, the power to make healthcare decisions on your behalf if you are no longer able to do so yourself. You can record your preferences for treatment, end-of-life care, and whether you want certain advanced lifesaving measures. This is a helpful document at any age, but becomes increasingly important as we get older. It helps avoid disputes on care between family members and ensures that your wishes are met, even if you are unable to advocate for yourself.
• Create a financial power of attorney. This legal document allows you to empower a person of your choosing to carry out your financial wishes, if or when you are no longer able to do so yourself. You can expand or limit the control the person will have and you can include access to bank accounts, the ability to buy and sell shares, sign income tax returns and manage real estate – essentially any financial transaction. This is helpful for many seniors who struggle to manage their financial affairs properly, and is a useful tool for ensuring that your wishes will be carried out regardless of your state of health.
• Update your estate plan. Ideally, you should have a will (or bequest) as soon as you start to accumulate assets, and it should be updated through the years, as your life changes. For many seniors, however, their last will was likely made decades ago. If this is the case, then you should make an appointment to update your estate plan.
  You may want to exclude or include beneficiaries, set up trusts for your grandchildren’s educations or even make gifts to loved ones. Having an accurate, updated estate plan ensures that your wishes will be carried out and that your loved ones are cared for, providing essential peace-of-mind.

At Collingswood, assisted living is all about quality of life! 

Collingswood is part of United Methodist Communities, a network of senior living communities NJ specializing in high quality care and support. Our communities are known for their beautiful settings, spacious residential apartments and wide range of resident services. With qualified and experienced nursing, therapy and management staff on hand to provide expert assistance, residents enjoy all the benefits of independent living for seniors.

To find out more about United Methodist Communities, our senior living community or our assisted living services, please contact us and book your visit today at United Methodist Communities at Collingswood.

Original content posted on https://umcommunities.org/blog/legal-financial-tips-considering-assisted-living/

Tips for Finding High Quality Hospice Care

Hospice, compassionate quality of end-of-life care, is there for people when treatment is no longer an option. This makes choosing a provider or service one of the most important decisions for you or your loved one. Here are some tips from a leading hospice care facility in South Jersey on finding the right fit:

• Shop around. While you may feel pressured to find a provider quickly, it’s better to take some time and evaluate your options. With the surge in providers and services across the country, many different types of hospices exist, especially in urban areas. These will differ according to cost, quality of care, support, location and more, so don’t rush into choosing the first you come across.
• Cost doesn’t mean quality. Although the costs of senior and end-of-life care are increasing,  that doesn’t mean that you need to select  the most expensive option to get the best care. While many hospices run as businesses, others run by nonprofit organizations as part of their charitable missions. This allows them to deliver high quality care at  far more affordable prices, giving more people in the community access to compassionate, and certified senior care services.
• Range of services and amenities. It’s important that the hospice provider offers customized services that can meet your needs. This means you won’t pay for services that you don’t require, and avoids the necessity for additional care outside the facility.
  In addition to trained and certified caregivers and nurses, the hospice should offer comfort, privacy, and support to patients and families. Additional services that add to the quality of care include onsite gyms, salons, music rooms, gardens, religious services, and life enrichment programs.
• Meaning in their mission. To find the best fit for you or your loved one, the values of the hospice should match up with your own. For example, while United Methodist Communities is a faith-based organization, we welcome people from all religious backgrounds;  spiritual participation is optional. Our aim in hospice care is to bring an enhanced level of compassionate care, comfort, and attention to detail for this important part of life.

Compassionate hospice care for the Jersey Shore community 

At The Shores, a leading assisted living community and part of United Methodist Communities, we offer a uniquely compassionate and professional hospice program in Cape May County called Bridges.

With an emphasis on creating a nurturing and comforting environment, we offer customized services that not only support your loved one, but you and your family as well.

To find out more about Bridges, our hospice care or our assisted living community in South Jersey, please contact us today or visit https://theshores.umcommunities.org/.

Original content posted on https://umcommunities.org/blog/tips-finding-high-quality-hospice-care/

Rehabilitation at The Shores in Cape May County

As one of the leading assisted living communities in Cape May County, New Jersey, we’re proud to offer expert short-term rehabilitation services to assist seniors in their recovery from falls, surgical procedures, and illnesses. Here are all the benefits of choosing this professional service:

• Faster recovery and healing: As we age, it becomes more difficult to bounce back quickly from illnesses and injury. However, professional short-term rehabilitation can help speed up your recovery. In addition to qualified nurses and caregivers to assist you with medical care and daily tasks, we also have teams of specialists toassist your recovery through a wide range of proven therapies, from physical therapy to occupational, speech therapy and more.
• One location: By moving into our comfortable assisted living community for your rehabilitation, you have access to all our services without having to travel, book appointments and coordinate schedules. This means that you get the rest you need as well as easy access to the rehabilitation you need.
• Professional caregiving in an independent environment: If you are used to living on your own or having a family member lend assistance, then short-term rehabilitation allows you to access more intensive assistance without having to commit to hiring a dedicated caregiver, putting a strain on family caregivers or moving into an assisted living facility. Our focus is on getting you healed and quality of life, so you get the level of care you require to recover quickly as well as the independence you love.
• Get the best: As these services are provided by a leader in senior care communities, we’re sure to employ only the best staff with the proper certifications and training needed to ensure you make a strong recovery. All of our treatments are state-of-the-art and results-driven, so you can rest assured that you’re getting the best support possible from a highly reputable organization.

Contact The Shores today for professional short-term rehabilitation services with fast and effective recovery!

United Methodist Communities at The Shores is an assisted living community in Cape May County, NJ, offering high-quality short-term rehabilitation services for seniors. As part of the United Methodist Communities network, we offer these services in addition to assisted living services, hospice care, and respite care.

Ideal for seniors wanting professional assistance in recovering from illness or surgery, as well as those wanting to try out our assisted living facility and get to know our community, we’re happy to welcome seniors from all faith backgrounds.

For more information on our short-term rehabilitation services, please contact us today and plan your visit.

Original content posted on https://umcommunities.org/blog/rehabilitation-at-the-shores/